BOSTON (MA)
TheBostonChannel.com
POSTED: 1:18 pm EST November 18, 2005
UPDATED: 1:25 pm EST November 18, 2005
BOSTON -- The Archdiocese of Boston on Friday agreed to reforms and new reporting requirements in a settlement with federal prosecutors who were investigating charges that the church provided false information about an abusive chaplain.
The church was accused of withholding information from the U.S. Attorney's office in 1999 about a Veteran's Administration Chaplain who allegedly abused boys.
Under the deal, which U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan's office said was the first of its kind in the nation, Sullivan agreed not to bring charges against the archdiocese if the church agreed to the new reporting requirements.
The church is now required to provide background information on priests in the military, the VA and federal prisons to federal prosecutors. The church must also provide detailed information about chaplain candidates, audit its policies for child protection, promptly report allegations of abuse and implement other anti-abuse programs and internal controls.
The archdiocese released a statement saying it was pleased with the resolution of the case.
"The Archdiocese has consistently maintained that there was no basis for a criminal prosecution," the statement said. "By reaching a resolution and avoiding a prolonged and costly dispute, we can devote our energies and resources toward the advancement of our goal of protecting children and fulfilling the Church's mission in this Archdiocese."
Posted by kshaw at November 18, 2005 02:15 PM