October 21, 2011

Thomas A. Coz, a Cincinnati attorney with more than 30 years of experience, has assumed the newly created position of safe environment coordinator for children and youth for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Coz will work with the 214 parishes and 113 schools of the archdiocese to assure adherence to the “Decree on Child Protection,” a series of policies, procedures, and recommendations to protect children, by assisting with training, answering questions, and helping to interpret its meaning.

“In my prior positions, I have had many opportunities to assist clients in establishing and implementing policies and procedures,” Coz said. “I expect that type of work will continue as I deal with questions about the decree at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.”

The decree, then known as the “Decree on Child Abuse,” was first promulgated by now-retired Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk in July 1993. It has been reviewed and revised every five years since. The current version was promulgated effective July 1, 2008.

Coz is a graduate of Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, and at the IMD International Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland.  Prior to joining the archdiocese, Coz worked for various law firms and corporations. He has also owned his own law firm since 1995 and taught frequently at the grade school, high school, and university level.

“Tom comes with a wealth of experience and has a great desire to foster a safe environment for all our children,” said Father Steve Angi, chancellor of the archdiocese. “His background as an attorney adds an important dimension to the safe environment coordinator position.”