CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has passed an independent review of its compliance to nationally prescribed child protection procedures for the 17th straight year.
The yearly assessment in August 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.
“In the 17 years since the Charter was issued, no other organization has accomplished what the Catholic Church has toward the goal of eliminating child sexual abuse,” diocesan leaders note in the Diocese of Charlotte Annual Report, which is included in this week’s edition of the Catholic News Herald.
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.
The diocese has passed independent audits of its child protection procedures every year since independent auditing began in 2003.
In the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, the diocese conducted 4,973 background checks, which are required on an ongoing basis for all diocesan clergy, employees and volunteers. Since 2002, more than 66,000 background checks have been conducted.
Since 2002, more than 53,000 adults have received training in the abuse prevention awareness program entitled “Protecting God’s Children” – 4,010 people in the past fiscal year alone.
“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.
“These steps make the diocese’s position clear: it is critical that adults take responsibility for their actions and promise to do whatever is necessary to keep children safe,” the diocesan annual report states.
Father Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese, also notes, “The Diocese of Charlotte has zero tolerance for child sexual abuse, and we are committed to transparency and accountability in our handling of this crime.”
These various programs and measures represent a significant financial commitment on the part of the diocese, with approximately $1.45 million invested since 2003.
— Catholic News Herald