CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has passed an independent review of its compliance to nationally prescribed child protection procedures for the 19th 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 2020 through June 2021 was conducted in August. 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, 2020, to June 30, 2021, the diocese conducted 3,786 background checks, which are required on an ongoing basis for all diocesan clergy, employees and volunteers. Since 2002, more than 75,400 background checks have been conducted. That includes rechecking active volunteers and employees every five years.
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed the need for volunteer assistance in parishes and schools over this past fiscal year, so fewer in-person training classes of “Protecting God’s Children” were held. A total of 2,190 adults in the diocese received training, down from the usual number of 4,000 participants.
More than 59,000 adults in the diocese have received training in this abuse prevention awareness 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.
The training program was recently updated with revamped videos and discussion points.
— Catholic News Herald