WINSTON-SALEM — Nearly 500 catechists and people representing 50 parishes interested in Catholic formation attended the Catechetical Conference organized by the Diocese of Charlotte Nov. 11 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem.
Attendees took part in lectures and workshops that addressed important issues and new strategies for faith formation teachers.
After welcoming attendees in Spanish and English, Father Julio Domínguez, vicar of Hispanic Ministry, addressed the Latino audience to explain how to integrate the pastoral priorities of Bishop Peter Jugis into Hispanic ministry.
He invited catechists to work with “intentionality,” bringing joy and hope to work with the Hispanic community in a flourishing, young and growing diocese.
The event included Mass, offered by Father Marcel Amadi, Campus Ministry chaplain at Wake Forest University.
— César Hurtado
CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has passed an independent review of its compliance to nationally prescribed child protection procedures for the 21st 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 review for the period of July 2020 through September 2023 was conducted in November. As a result of the detailed on-site audit, the diocese has been found to be compliant with all audited articles of the charter as it has done 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, 2022, to June 30, 2023, the diocese conducted 5,270 background checks, which are required on an ongoing basis for all diocesan clergy, employees and volunteers. Since 2002, more than 80,000 background checks have been conducted. That includes rechecking active volunteers and employees every five years.
A total of 3,028 adults received training in the diocese’s “Protecting God’s Children” abuse prevention awareness program. More than 63,000 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