March 6, 2008 - Archdiocese of Boston Completes 2007 Audit of its Compliance with the USCCB 'Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People'
(Brighton, Mass.) March 6, 2008...The Archdiocese of Boston today announced that The Gavin Group, an independent firm retained by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has completed a full, independent audit of the Archdiocese's compliance with the provisions of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (Charter), the child protection policy adopted by the Bishops in 2002. As part of the audit, The Gavin Group also visited forty-seven (47) parishes of the Archdiocese and conducted on-site audits in these locations. The audit evaluated the Archdiocese's efforts to satisfy requirements relating to effective reporting and responses to allegations of sexual abuse, promoting healing and reconciliation with survivors and those harmed by clergy sexual abuse, ensuring that Archdiocesan and religious priests, deacons, educators, volunteers and other personnel are properly screened through CORI background evaluations and to conduct safe environment training for children and adults who work with children. The parish-level audits tested the extent to which the requirements of the Charter, as reflected in the Archdiocese's policies, are being implemented.
As of the conclusion of the audit period, June 30, 2007, the Archdiocese had achieved compliance in 12 of the 13 audited Articles of the Charter. The Archdiocese did not fully comply with one component of Article 12 of the Charter, which requires implementation of safe environment programs for children in religious education programs. Through internal auditing conducted by the Archdiocese as well as through the independent audits conducted by The Gavin Group, 64 parishes were determined not to have implemented or fully implemented a safe environment training program for children in their religious education programs. The Archdiocese, through its Office of Child Advocacy, Implementation and Oversight, is working closely with the parishes and Regional Bishops to bring these parishes into compliance. At this time, a considerable portion of the 64 parishes are in the process of implementing safe environment training within their religious education programs.
"Protecting our children and ensuring that our churches and schools offer safe environments is one of our most important responsibilities," stated Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley. "We will continue to work diligently to ensure our children's safety in the Archdiocese of Boston."
In 2008, the Archdiocese of Boston again will participate in a full, independent audit of its compliance with the Charter. The 2008 audit will include on-site audits to evaluate parish-level compliance. It is expected that the USCCB will release its 2007 audit results this week.
Additional information about the audit can be found at www.usccb.org. The Gavin Group's report can be viewed here.
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