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	Diocese in Compliance with Child Protection Charter Daily Press May 11, 2011 http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/530172/Diocese-in-compliance-with-child-protection-charter.html?nav=5001 In 2010, the Catholic Diocese of Marquette was again found to be in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which was adopted by the U.S. Bishops in 2002 to address the problem of child and youth sexual abuse by clergy. After participating in a simpler data collection audit in 2008 and 2009, the diocese underwent a full on-site audit in the latter part of 2010. The full on-site visits are required every three years. "Two former FBI agents came to the diocese in November to audit our complete safe environment program," explained Rev. Ronald Browne, Diocesan Moderator of the Curia. The auditors are employed by the Gavin Group, the firm hired by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to check on dioceses' compliance with the Charter. They interviewed Bishop Alexander Sample and the diocesan employees who work with the safe environment program. They also reviewed the diocese's records, which include the criminal background checks that have been conducted on volunteers and church employees who work with children and youth. Rev. Browne also accompanied one of the auditors on visits to outlying areas of the Upper Peninsula. "We went on-site to four of our schools and eight parishes to make sure they're doing the necessary instruction of students and the paperwork that goes with it." During the audit period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, 3,881 children and youth received training in safe environment awareness in Diocese of Marquette Catholic schools and parishes. In addition, 307 diocesan, parish and Catholic school employees and volunteers from throughout the U.P. were trained in the prevention of child and youth sexual abuse, bringing the total number of adults trained since 2002 to 2,964. The Diocese of Marquette has a Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People that reviews diocesan policies and procedures for dealing with sexual abuse of minors, assists the bishop in assessing allegations of sexual misconduct against church workers and volunteers, and advises the bishop regarding the clergy's fitness for ministry. The review board is composed of one diocesan priest and seven lay persons who are not employed by the diocese. Also, in attendance at the Review Board meetings are a priest and lay person trained in Church and civil law to provide counsel to the board if needed. Bishop Sample is very pleased that the diocese was found to be compliant with the Charter, but also stressed that, "We must never relax our efforts to provide a safe environment for children and young people in the Church." He also encourages anyone who has been sexually abused by a clergy member, religious, church employee or volunteer to make a complaint to the diocese. "Our first concern is always for the victim/survivor. We want to help the person who has been harmed begin the journey to healing and peace," Bishop Sample explained. One way to make a complaint is to call the Moderator of the Curia, Rev. Ronald Browne, at (906) 227-9107 / 800-562-9745, ext. 107. If Browne is unavailable, call Bishop Sample at (906) 227-9115 / 800-562-9745, ext. 115. Complaints can also be made in writing and mailed to: Rev. Ronald Browne, Moderator of the Curia, Diocese of Marquette, 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855. The letter should be marked "Personal and Confidential" and indicate whether a response is desired by phone, by letter or in a meeting. The diocese is in the process of hiring a new Victim Assistance Coordinator and will release this person's contact information at a later date. Information regarding the Diocese of Marquette's safe environment program can be found on the diocese's website: www.dioceseofmarquette.org by selecting Protecting Children on the snowshoe menu. The 2010 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is posted on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' web site at: www.usccb.org/ocyp.
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