MONTPELIER (VT)
Times Argus
February 19, 2005
By David Gram Associated Press
MONTPELIER — An audit for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has found the Burlington diocese has failed to meet one of several requirements designed to prevent sexual abuse of children by clergy.
It also said that during the 2004 audit period, there were seven new allegations of sexual misconduct against seven priests in Vermont.
The audit, part of a nationwide effort to address the spate of sex abuse scandals that have struck dioceses around the country, found that the diocese that includes all of Vermont had not created the "safe environment program" to educate children and others about preventing sexual abuse.
"There are no educational programs for children, parents, employees and volunteers," the report said.
The Burlington diocese was one of just seven of the more than 180 dioceses and eparchies around the country that did not meet all the requirements of an anti-sexual-abuse charter approved by the national bishops' group in 2003.