packets of information distributed to all Catholic parishes in nation
by Fr. Douglas Grams
Article 12 of the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops Charter for the Protection of Children
and Young People states: "Diocese/ eparchies will establish ‘safe
environment’ programs. They will cooperate with parents, civil authorities,
educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for
children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to make
and maintain a safe environment for children.
Dioceses/eparchies will make
clear to clergy and all members of the community the standards of conduct for
clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual
abuse."
To reaffirm their promise to protect young people and to offer healing to those
who have been hurt by sexual abuse on the part of clergy, the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will be sending to all Catholic parishes
in the nation packets of information that will include the following material:
- a
prayer card for healing;
- bulletin
inserts which encourage victims of sexual misconduct by clergy to report
instances of abuse to the diocese;
- bulletin
inserts describing the USCCB’s Office of Child and Youth Protection;
- an informational brochure
describing the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the
newly formed Office of Child and Youth Protection; and
- a
poster to display on parish bulletin boards.
The posters in our parishes
will indicate the name and phone number of the Victim Assistance Coordinator
for the New Ulm diocese, Christopher Loetscher. Last October, Loetscher, along
with four lay women from the Diocese of New Ulm, received advocate training.
The advocates live in
The Diocese of New Ulm joins
the rest of the dioceses of the nation in responding to the crisis of sexual
abuse of minors by some members of the Catholic clergy. We continue to educate
and work hard to help ensure that sexual abuse of minors within the Church will
be prevented.
To ensure that policies and
procedures in regard to sexual misconduct are in place, the Catholic Bishops of
the United States called for an audit last fall of all Catholic dioceses in the
United States. The Diocese of New Ulm was found to be in compliance in all
areas of the 2003 national audit. This fall, a second national audit will be conducted.
The Diocese of New Ulm will
continue with safe environment programs in all its Catholic schools, religious
education and youth ministry programs to ensure, to the best of our
ability, that children and young people are
are being instructed in the faith by adults, parents,
and members of the clergy who are pledged to maintain a safe environment for
all.
Background evaluations have
been completed for all diocesan and parish personnel, including priests,
pastoral administrators and members of parish staffs. Background checks for
almost 1,700 volunteers who work with youth on a consistent basis in the
diocese have also been completed.
The church recognizes that
the majority of clergy and church personnel are dedicated and hardworking
people who minister faithfully and hold themselves to high standards of
conduct. The Diocese of New Ulm is firmly committed to the protection of
children and youth, and pledges to assist the healing of any victim of sexual
misconduct.
Fr. Douglas Grams is the Bishop’s Delegate in Matters
Pertaining to Sexual Misconduct.
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,
1400 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN
56073
phone: (507) 359-2966.