Teresa M. Kettelkamp, who served as an official with the Illinois State Police
for 29 years, has been named executive director of the United States Conference
of Catholic
Bishops’
(USCCB) Office of Child and Youth Protection. Kettelkamp succeeds
Kathleen L. McChesney, who directed the office from
its founding in December, 2002, until February, 2005.
Kettelkamp’s appointment was effective April 13 and was announced
by the USCCB General Secretary, Msgr. William P. Fay. “Teresa Kettelkamp
brings an extraordinary wealth of experience and complete commitment to the
protection of children and young people,” Msgr. Fay said. “I look forward to
the contributions she will make in further strengthening this crucially
important work for the Church in our country.”
“I am grateful to the National Review Board
for their assistance, as well as that of senior staff, in helping me in the
search for such a competent director,” Msgr. Fay said.
“I am honored to be selected
to serve the USCCB and the OCYP in this capacity,” Ms. Kettelkamp
said. “I’ll work tirelessly to continue to give victims a voice, to encourage
them to come forward for healing, and to strengthen the protection mechanisms
for children which were implemented by the Charter.”
Kettelkamp was the first woman to attain the rank of Colonel in
the Illinois State Police when she retired in July, 2003, to assist the Gavin
Group, Inc. in conducting audits of all Catholic dioceses and eparchies for
compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
She was a member of teams that visited 16 dioceses and eparchies during the
2003 and 2004 audits. She also assisted the Gavin Group in
the development of the first audit instrument and a draft audit manual.
Kettelkamp’s nearly three decades of law enforcement experience
began with investigating whitecollar crime and public
corruption cases. She carried out investigations throughout the State of
For additional background information on Teresa Kettelkamp, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Web site at www.usccb.org.