CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has passed an independent review of its compliance to nationally prescribed child protection procedures for the 20th straight year.
The yearly assessment by Stonebridge Business Partners of Rochester, N.Y., monitors U.S. dioceses’ compliance with the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” which addresses the Church’s commitment to respond effectively, appropriately and compassionately to cases of abuse of minors by clergy or other Church personnel.
The audit for the period of July 2021 through June 2022 was conducted in December 2022. The diocese has been found to be compliant with the provisions of the charter each year since the audits began in 2003.
The external review checks compliance with reporting requirements of the charter, including the diocese’s efforts to ensure the protection of children through criminal background checks and educational awareness programs on recognizing and preventing abuse.
In the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, the diocese conducted 3,994 background checks, which are required on an ongoing basis for all diocesan clergy, employees and volunteers. Since 2002, more than 75,000 background checks have been conducted. That includes rechecking active volunteers and employees every five years.
A total of 2,752 adults received training in the diocese’s “Protecting God’s Children” abuse prevention awareness program. More than 60,000 adults in the diocese have received training in this program since it began in 2002.
“Protecting God’s Children” helps adults learn to recognize the warning signs of abuse and the many ways that sexual abuse harms victims, families, parishes and communities. It teaches them appropriate ways to respond to suspicious behaviors and how they can help prevent abuse.
— Catholic News Herald