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	Tucson Diocese Makes Final Payments to Abuse Victims KVOA [Tucson AZ] January 25, 2007 http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5987934&nav=HMO6HMaW January marks a milestone for the Tucson Roman Catholic Diocese. It's been five years since the diocese settled a $14 million lawsuit with men who allege they were sexually abused by priests. This month, the church's final payments to those victims will be made, but church leaders say it's not just about paying known victims, rather, it's about preventing future ones. Irene Felix works in the office that handles criminal background checks for people who want to work at the Diocese of Tucson. The checks are required for clergy, staff and volunteers. Paul Duckro, director of the Diocese of Tucson's Office of Child, Adolescent and Adult Protection, says, "We need a system that will make things visible." Since 2004, the diocese screened about 9,500 job applicants and rejected about 75 of them. Reasons for rejection include past sexual misconduct with minors. Duckro says, "When you don't have a system, there is a fog created and, in the fog, people with bad intentions can operate with impunity. We can't afford that." Today, the diocese says it has a multi-step system to protect children that includes background checks, child abuse education and employee supervision. Duckro believes the system is working. Now, the diocese is reaching out into the community to help other agencies fight the problem. Duckro says, "One of the biggest committments we have made is to work with the Southern Arizona Children's Advocacy Center." Tucson Bishop Gerald Kicanas says, "This is not an issue that just affects the church. It's a societal issue. It's an issue of great concern." It's one reason Kicanas is calling attention to this month's anniversay of the diocese's first multi-million dollar payout to men who say they were abused by priests. Kicanas says, "It's really an occasion for us again to express the deep regrets the church feels at what happened." Kicanas says it's also a time to remind Catholics and others of work that needs to be done to protect children.
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