The diocese is facing three lawsuits in which parishioners say priests sexually abused them when they were children. A fourth case was resolved last spring, with the diocese and the priest, Richard Buongimo, each agreeing to pay the victim $350,000.

Antoch's position is in compliance with Article 2 of the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" adopted in June 2002 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in response to the growing crisis of the sexual abuse of children by priests.

Antoch did not return a call for comment Thursday.

Antoch has held a part-time position as the Norwich Diocesan Prison Ministry Director, and she has worked with the Batterer's Intervention Group at the MultiCultural Center in Providence. She has been a counselor at Gateway Healthcare Community Counseling Center in Pawtucket, R.I., and the Northern Rhode Island Community Mental Health Center in Woonsocket. Also, she was a counselor and adviser at Rhode Island College in Providence.

She has a master of arts degree in counseling psychology and a certificate of advanced graduate study in counselor education from Rhode Island College. She also has a certificate of pastoral care from the Pastoral Care Ministry School of Wheaton, Ill., and three certificates in healing prayer from Christian Healing Ministries Inc. of Jacksonville, Fla.

Antoch succeeds Virginia Haas, who had served in the position since Aug. 1, 2002.

The diocese said that victims and their families can reach Antoch through the Office of Internal Affairs by calling 860-889-4455 or 1-800-624-7407.