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	Audit of Catholics Notes Safety Steps San Angelo Standard-Times March 28, 2009 http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2009/mar/28/audit-of-catholics-notes-safety-steps/ The Most Rev. Michael Pfeifer, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, is very happy to share with the people of West Texas the good news of all the efforts that the Catholic Church is making to provide protection for children and young people. The Diocese of San Angelo is included in the 2008 Annual Report that follows, and has been given high marks for all the efforts to implement the Charter to provide a safe environment for all people, especially young people. Dioceses spent more than $23 million nationwide in 2008 to prevent child sexual abuse, an increase of $2 million from 2007. The figures are part of the 2008 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. This sixth annual report also found that virtually all U.S. dioceses and eparchies are compliant with the 17-point Charter, which was adopted by the U.S. bishops in 2002. The report is produced under the direction of the National Review Board. It includes the audit results of 188 of the 195 dioceses and eparchies in the United States as well as data collected for calendar year 2008 by the Georgetown University-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said that the bishops hope that with child abuse protection activities, "New ways are being found to improve not only the safety of children in the care of the church, but also the safety of all children in society." The report noted that more than 99 percent of people who were required to participate in safe-environment training programs did so. The report noted that meeting the requirements of Article 12 of the Charter, which governs safe environment training, has many challenges "ranging from data management to training the trainers." Nevertheless, more than 5.5 million, or 96.6 percent of the children, received safe environment training by June 30, 2008, and 1.4 million, or 98.8 percent of volunteers, underwent background checks. Most recent reports of abuse concerned alleged offenses from 1965-74, 35 to 40 years ago, and most alleged offenders are dead or out of the ministry. Last year, dioceses received 10 new credible allegations of abuse to a person still younger than 18. Compliance Audits conducted in dioceses across the nation by The Gavin Group. Inc., a Boston-based firm founded by former FBI agent William Gavin and overseen by the USCCB Secretariat for the Protection of Children and Young People revealed that only four dioceses were found non-compliant with one or more of the Charter articles at the time of the audit. The Dioceses of Tulsa, Okla.; Lansing, Mich.; Las Cruces, N.M., and the Archdiocese of San Francisco were non-compliant at the time of their audits, but became compliant before this report was completed. "This report stands as evidence that the church takes seriously its role in preventing child sexual abuse and the healing for and reconciling with past victims," Cardinal George said. "By our prayers, actions and dedication to the Articles of the Charter, we are working to make the world less painful for those who are hurting and safer for all young people. This is the right path for us and for everyone." For more information, contact Jimmy Patterson at (432) 889-6640.
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