CHICAGO (IL)
Chicago Catholic
October 11, 2018
By Michelle Martin
One thing that has become clear since the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy made headlines again this summer is that many people don’t know the steps the church is already taking to prevent abuse, and to investigate allegations when they arise.
The Archdiocese of Chicago was ahead of most other dioceses when the scandal broke in Boston in 2002, said Mayra Flores, safe environment coordinator for the archdiocese.
The archdiocese had put many measures in place under Cardinal Joseph Bernardin in the 1990s, including the creation of a review board with a majority of laypeople to review all allegations against priests and a ministry to assist victims of clerical sexual abuse.
“What stood out in Cardinal Bernardin’s vision was the outreach to victims,” Flores said. “He saw a need to say, ‘I’m sorry this happened to you. How can we help with your healing journey?’”
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