NEW ORLEANS (LA)
National Catholic Reporter
Brian Roewe Joshua J. McElwee | Jun. 12, 2014
NEW ORLEANS
Urged not to get complacent on clergy sexual abuse of minors, the nation’s Catholic bishops spoke little of holding one another accountable for failures in protecting children at their annual spring meeting.
The chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Review Board, which advises the bishops on child protection policies, told those gathered Wednesday in New Orleans that the church “continues to slowly make progress” on the abuse issue and asked bishops present to “resist complacency” and “remain committed” to the work still ahead of them.
“Every time we learn about a situation that results from a decision not in conformity with the Charter [for the Protection of Children and Young People], the commendable efforts of the bishops to address the issue of sexual abuse are compromised,” Francesco Cesareo said. “These instances further erode the credibility of the bishops.”
Toward the end of his 20-minute address, Cesareo said Catholics must “hold each other accountable for any actions or decisions that run contrary” to the prelates’ charter, which the bishops’ conference adopted in 2002. However, Cesareo did not specify who needs to be held accountable and to whom.
The topic received no wider discussion in the general sessions Wednesday, with retired Erie, Pa., Bishop Donald Trautman posing the only question on the subject from the floor: “Are we able to say that all dioceses and eparchies are implementing the charter?”
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