Audit scheduled for August

new safe environment training program to be introduced this month

In the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, first approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in June 2002 and revised and approved again in June 2005, the Bishops of the U.S. affirmed the Church’s commitment to deal appropriately and effectively with cases of sexual abuse of minors by priests, deacons, and other Church personnel and to reach out to victims of sexual abuse and their families. The Bishops also pledged to work with parents, civil authorities, educators, and various organizations in the community to create and maintain a safe environment within the Church for children and young people. In the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies for Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons, granted recognition by the Holy See and approved by the USCCB in May of 2005, the Bishops further delineate policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

Since 2003, as requested by Article 8 of the Charter, annual audits have been conducted in all 195 dioceses/eparchies to assess compliance with the Charter and where necessary, to specify required actions that would bring the diocese/eparchy into compliance with the Charter.

Audit to be conducted in August

An on-site audit will again be conducted in the Diocese of New Ulm in mid-August. In the past audits, the diocese has been found to be in compliance each time.

The 2007 audit will assess not only the extent to which the diocese has established policies, procedures, and programs in accord with the Charter, but also the effectiveness of the administration of these policies, procedures, and programs. The audit will also determine the accuracy of the data provided to the auditors. Additionally, as guidelines and measurements of effectiveness are developed over the next few years, they will be incorporated into future audits.

Summaries of all dioceses/eparchies audit results are included in the Annual Report on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Visit www.usccb.org.

Safe Environment Training

The Diocese of New Ulm continues its effort to ensure a safe environment within the Church for children and young people. This year, the diocese is implementing a new safe environment program called VIRTUS, (www.virtus.org) which is currently used by more than 100 dioceses across the country.

VIRTUS program training and administrative workshops for all pastoral leaders, principals, and local safe environment coordinators will be held June 5 at St. Mary’s in New Ulm, and June 6 at St. Joseph’s in Montevideo.

For further information contact Michelle Flood, Safe Environment Coordinator for the Diocese of New Ulm, (507) 359-2966; mflood@dnu.org.

If you or someone you know has been sexually exploited by a member of the clergy and you need to talk with someone about abuse, exploitation, or harassment, please contact the Diocese of New Ulm Victim Assistance Coordinator or the Bishop’s Delegate in Matters Pertaining to Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, 1400 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073; phone: (507) 359-2966.

Si usted, o alguien a quien conoce, ha sido explotado sexualmente por un clero y necesita hablar con alguien sobre abuso, explotación o acoso sexual, por favor ponerse en contacto con el Coordinador de Asistencia para Victimas de la Diócesis de New Ulm o con el Delegado del Obispo en Asuntos que Pertenecen al Abuso Sexual por Cleros de la Diócesis de New Ulm, 1400 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073; número de teléfono (507) 359-2966.