CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has participated in an independent review of its compliance to nationally prescribed child protection procedures for the 23rd straight year.
The yearly assessment by Stonebridge Business Partners of Rochester, New York, 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 external review covered data related to child protection measures for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
It checked 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 complied with the charter every year since it was established in 2002, and passed every audit since they began in 2003.
All Church personnel – including priests, deacons, seminarians, religious and lay staff – as well as volunteers age 18 and older, are required to complete mandatory Safe Environment training, acknowledge key diocesan policies, and undergo a criminal background check before beginning employment or volunteer ministry. Annual renewal of Safe Environment training is required, and background checks are reviewed quarterly as part of ongoing safety monitoring.
During the past fiscal year, the diocese conducted 6,677 background checks. As the diocese has grown since 2002, more than 57,000 background checks have been conducted.
A total of 10,516 people completed training in the diocese’s Safe Environment educational awareness program, CMG Connect. More than 75,000 adults have received Safe Environment training since it began in 2002.
CMG Connect educates adults to recognize the warning signs of abuse and the many ways 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.
In addition to these protocols, the diocese reports all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to local law enforcement. The diocese also supports an independent hotline for the reporting of sexual abuse and misconduct. Reports can be made anonymously anytime by phone at 1-888-630-5929 or online at www.redflagreporting.com/rcdoc.
— Catholic News Herald
Learn more
At www.charlottediocese.org: Get more information about the Diocese of Charlotte’s safe environment program and resources