MANCHESTER (NH)
The Union Leader
By KATHRYN MARCHOCKI
Union Leader Staff
MANCHESTER — Ending a hard-fought dispute between the state and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, a judge yesterday ruled state oversight of the effectiveness of the church's child protection policies is permissible under the agreement both sides reached in 2002.
Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Carol A. Conboy also ordered the state and diocese to split the estimated $425,000 to $445,000 cost of the audits intended to determine the diocese's compliance with the agreement.
The agreement called for annual audits through 2007. To date, none have been done.
"The court's order is a victory for the children of New Hampshire," Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte said last night.
"This order will ensure that the state can conduct a thorough and independent review of the diocese's policies. The state can now evaluate whether the diocese has programs in place that effectively protect children," she added.
Posted by kshaw at March 23, 2005 07:19 AM