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  Protecting Children a Priority at Parishes, Schools, Seminaries

By John Vlazny
Catholic Sentinel [Portland OR]
August 24, 2005

This past June at the spring assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which was promulgated in 2002, was updated based on the experiences of dioceses across the country over the past three years.

Here in the Archdiocese of Portland we have been greatly challenged by the multiple allegations of child sexual abuse by some of our own priests in years past and our ongoing efforts to reach a resolution to these claims, now with the help of the bankruptcy court. These crimes have alienated many people, and true reconciliation will be achieved only with the help of prayer and God's grace. But we must do our part by compensating victims for their suffering and supporting them by our prayers and care.

The revised Charter also commits us to creating a safe environment within our church for people and young people. This is a responsibility we have taken seriously. Our archdiocese continues to implement the Charter more fully and has been found in full compliance during the previous audits of October 2003 and October 2004. Another on-site audit is scheduled for late October and early November of this year.

Our Ministry Review Board meets regularly and has advised me on a variety of issues related to archdiocesan policies and practices concerning child abuse and the assurance of a safe environment for all in our churches and schools. By way of example, recently we received some warnings about predators in churches from Washington County authorities. In response to a suggestion from the Review Board, we sent notice to every parish to monitor its restrooms and to encourage parents to accompany their children to the restrooms, even if that meant some disturbance to church services.

Safe environment training has been provided for parish staffs, school principals and clergy. These training programs have covered our own archdiocesan child abuse policy, procedures for screening and training employees and volunteers, safe environment and risk management issues related to events and activities involving minors, the role of a parish contact person and committees, and the education of parents and children on child sexual abuse. Eight training sessions were held in 2004 in various locations across the archdiocese. Two additional sessions have been held this year, one in English and one in Spanish. Our clergy participated in similar training sessions during the Clergy Convocation held last fall. Similar safe environment training sessions are to be held each year for all new employees of parishes (clergy and lay) and for school principals.

Last year each parish was asked to designate one member of its staff as the parish contact person to oversee the implementation of our child abuse policy and safe environment programs. This person coordinates the screening and training of employees and volunteers, assists in the education of parents and children and is also responsible for completing forms which provide evidence of compliance with the relevant policies and procedures.

Furthermore, each parish has been asked to gather key staff persons and others to address safe environment issues specific to its own location. The purpose is to have the pastor, staff and parishioners with experience and expertise make decisions at a parish level about certain safety and safe environment issues related to their own parish activities, travel and facilities. This has probably been the most difficult part of the program to implement and is still in its formative stages.

Our school principals have already discussed these matters with the archdiocesan child protection officer on four different occasions. She has met with the principals' advisory committee and meets with new principals each year to make sure they understand the policies and procedures of the archdiocese for screening and training employees and volunteers, as well as for educating parents and children.

Archdiocesan staff also have met with parish directors of religious education and parish coordinators of youth ministry in six different locations this past year. They reviewed video tapes and print materials for use in the education of children and parents. These materials have included sample letters to parents, lists of available resources, program presentations, etc. To date most of the parishes have offered at least one educational meeting for parents and for children of various ages.

All employees and volunteers who "regularly work with children" are required to attend a training session in their parish or school at least once every three years. Both the archdiocesan child abuse policy and Oregon law on child abuse reporting are included in the training. A video newly produced by the state of Oregon, The Role of the Mandatory Reporter of Child Abuse, is used in the training. We continue to work with the state of Oregon to obtain copies of the video in Spanish and closed caption.

The curriculum for children attending our Catholic elementary schools includes a "safe touch" component as part of the health curriculum. Our schools also provide education of parents about this curriculum each year.

An apostolic visitation of all the seminaries of the United States will begin this fall to assure that our programs of priestly formation adequately provide programs of human formation for chastity and celibacy. The screening of candidates is of particular concern both before entering the seminary and during their time of formation prior to ordination. The bishops of the United States are committed to continue assisting priests, deacons and seminarians in living out their vocation in faithful and integral ways.

The priests and deacons who are serving our people in the parishes across western Oregon at the present time are all deserving of your esteem and affection. Like yourselves, I am committed to safeguarding their good names and well-being. I promise you that our priests, deacons and all our archdiocesan personnel will do all we can to assure the protection of children and youth. We are devoting considerable resources and personnel in our ongoing effort to accomplish this goal.

Many priests have begun new assignments this past summer. I am grateful to them for spreading out across western Oregon to serve the needs of our scattered flock. A wonderful new group of seminarians has begun the program of priestly formation at Mount Angel Seminary. I pledge that I will do what I can to ordain to the priesthood only those who share our commitment to protect children and youth. Together we will work towards healing and reconciliation of all those who have been abused. We pray that God will bless this all-important task now and in the future. God bless you for your interest and support.

 
 

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