Diocese of Orange
Charter Implementation Update
One Year Later
In June 2002, five months before the bishops of
the United States met in Dallas to formulate and pass the Charter
for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Diocese of
Orange began forming its own specific policy for dealing with sexual
misconduct. The national charter, which is binding on all U.S. dioceses,
was approved by the Vatican early this year. However, because of
the early implementation of its local policy governing abuse, and
the stringent nature of the policy’s provisions, the Diocese
of Orange is considered to be in the vanguard of U.S. dioceses in
dealing with the problem of sexual misconduct.
Following is a list of actions that the Diocese
of Orange has implemented in the past year:
- The diocese has reviewed, revised and updated
its written policies on sexual abuse of minors by priests, deacons,
religious, lay employees and volunteers of the Diocese and has
published and distributed to all parties.
- Prior to being accepted for ministry in the
diocese, all priests from other dioceses and/or religious orders
are subject to thorough background checks. This now includes fingerprinting.
- The brochure “Respecting Boundaries”
has been developed, translated into English, Spanish and Vietnamese,
and made available to all parishes, schools and other agencies
in the Diocese of Orange.
- All mandated reporters have been educated about
and ordered to comply with all applicable civil laws with respect
to the reporting of allegations, supporting an individual’s
right to report, and fully cooperating in any investigations.
- A toll-free reporting line (800-364-3064) was
established in January 2002. The diocese has engaged the services
of an independent therapist who answers the line and serves as
the Assistance Ministry Coordinator. She provides immediate pastoral
care for victims and their families. She is a mandated reporter
and follows all reporting procedures. She serves as a case manager
and refers people in need to proper authorities. She also refers
them to therapists if they so desire.
- The former “Sensitive Issues Committee”
has been expanded and is now established as the Sexual Misconduct
Oversight and Review Board. This board is still in transition
as we strive to meet the criteria set forth in the charter. It
will consist almost entirely of laity who come from various backgrounds
and brings expertise in social services, law enforcement and victim
assistance programs. A victim of sexual abuse also serves on this
board. This board oversees policy, reviews allegations of sexual
abuse of minors and can advise the bishop in other matters regarding
sexual misconduct.
- All employees who have regular contact with
children have been fingerprinted to check their backgrounds. Soon
all diocesan volunteers will be fingerprinted as well.
- A partnership has been established with the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which has
implemented a safety program for all children and their parents
in diocesan schools (14,406 children, K-8) and religious education
programs (48,000 children, K-8). We are currently researching
high school programs.
- Listening sessions have been provided in many
of our parishes in order to offer opportunities for healing and
education, and as a forum for hearing the concerns of the laity.
- An independent licensed psychologist has been
identified and contracted with in order to facilitate a weekly
peer support group for victims. The process has begun for interviewing
other therapists to conduct support groups for families of victims.
These support groups are offered at no cost to participants and
are confidential.
More about the Charter
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