TEXAS
San Angelo Standard-Times
By BRYAN RUSSELL, brussell@sastandardtimes.com or 659-8264
March 31, 2006
A 2006 report by the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops found the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo to be in full compliance with the church's Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
More than 190 dioceses and eparchies in the United States were audited between July and December of 2005 to ensure compliance with the charter. The charter was drafted in 2002, when allegations of sexual abuse by clergy began surfacing around the country.
''I very pleased with the report that came out on our diocese,'' said the Most Rev. Michael Pfeifer of the San Angelo diocese. ''I think we're on the right track. The message we want to give is that we have a deep concern and care for the children. They're the most precious gift God has given us.
''I've worked hours on this issue,'' he continued. ''It's like taking on a whole new job, but it's an effort to show parents we're doing our best to make a safe environment for our children.''