PHOENIX (AZ)
East Valley Tribune
By Lawn Griffiths, Tribune
December 31, 2004
Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix procedures to protect youths from sexual abuse by clergy, staff and volunteers have earned high marks in an audit by a national Catholic oversight office.
The diocese, which continues to be investigated for priest misconduct with children going back to the 1970s, is now well set up to prevent such future abuses, according to the review team sent by the Office of Child and Youth Protection, under the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"The responses to the many questions were thoughtful, informative and among the best that I have reviewed," said Kathleen McChesney, executive director for the Office of Child and Youth Protection. She called the Phoenix audit results "quite impressive" and said they reflect "an enormous amount of time, energy and dedication to addressing the problems that existed 18 months ago."
The diocese uses a 14-member review board to rece ive and investigate complaints and advise the bishop.