Parents, Please Be Aware: A Serious Child Protection Concern at a Program Visited by Archdiocese of Philadelphia Children

There are many parishes and schools located in the area of Redeemer Valley Farm in Huntington Valley. The farm is a ministry of the Sisters of the Redeemer. On the Redeemer Valley Farm’s social media pages there are photos of the many child activities and events. Of note are the photos of the visiting local Catholic school children, and service days performed by Archdiocesan and private Catholic high schools.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia was alerted in July 2026 that the Redeemer Valley Farm allegedly did not require criminal background checks for their volunteers until January of 2026. Even more alarming was that two of the Sisters allegedly allowed a registered sex offender to volunteer at the farm for a number of years. Knowingly allowed is what we have been told. That time frame looks to be from sometime in 2023 to late 2025.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia did not offer assistance to the person who reported to them in July 2026. The Sisters of the Redeemer are not considered a diocesan entity although the diocesan youth frequented the farm on school trips and service days. Technicality reigns supreme in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia washing their hands of situations.

It was not until Child Line reports were placed by concerned individuals, and Catholics4Change was alerted, that the Archdiocese took any type of movement on this very serious issue. Again, we have seen this time and time again over the years.

Local law enforcement determined that the registered sex offender had not violated his federal parole. He had permission to volunteer at the farm. He had permission, but he did not have to volunteer there. That was a decision allegedly allowed by two of the Sisters of the Redeemer. A very puzzling choice being that the farm offers children’s programs as well as the local Catholic school children visiting and volunteering.

It seems that St Hilary’s parish school may have partnered with the Redeemer Valley Farm on opportunities for their students to learn about gardening and farming. We believe that a few Catholic parish schools in the area may have had similar partnerships with the Sisters. Also Father Judge High School, Nazareth Academy and Villa Joseph Marie High School students performed service days, as did a local public high school.

In speaking with John Delaney of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Investigations earlier today, I could not receive confirmation that the Catholic parish schools or Archdiocesan schools were alerted to this very serious child protection concern. Delaney referred to this issue in the past tense. As a parent there is no past tense for me when it comes to the protection of children. With the start of the new school year, the parents and schools deserve to know that a registered sex offender volunteered at the Redeemer Valley Farm where their children frequented. Whether it is past or present tense.

This is an issue that simply would not have happened in other dioceses because they have actual policy of background checks for the non diocesan Catholic programs that their youth participate. Other dioceses do not treat it as a technicality, but rather child safety. A diocese can also place a ban on an organization and not allow diocesan schools to partner or visit the organization. That would require an Archbishop who is actually involved in the protection of the children in his diocese.

As always, The Archdiocese of Philadelphia continues to endanger children and laity.