February 18, 2005

Report today on compliance with clergy sex abuse prevention programs

WASHINGTON (DC)
KOLD

WASHINGTON Leaders of the Catholic church say they have made "gigantic strides" in setting up programs to protect young parishioners against clergy sexual abuse.

Today, the U-S Conference of Catholic Bishops will release results of an audit conducted by a panel that includes former F-B-I agents. The investigators went around the country checking for compliance with new church prevention and disciplinary guidelines. Their report will also reveal any new claims of molestation.

Last year, auditors found a number of shortcomings including the ineffective monitoring of guilty priests.

Critics say the bishops are glossing over some complaints and are backing away from their commitment to crack down on abusive priests.

Posted by kshaw at February 18, 2005 04:27 AM