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	Committed to Children's Safety By Rev. John Guthrie Bismarck Bismarck Tribune November 22, 2011 http://bismarcktribune.com/news/opinion/mailbag/committed-to-children-s-safety/article_2e0e5f0a-149f-11e1-acd7-001cc4c03286.html I would like to briefly respond to the letter "Questions for the new bishop" in the Nov. 15 Tribune. The letter questions whether the newly appointed bishop of Bismarck, David Kagan, might be indifferent to any cases of sexual abuse of minors in our diocese. As pastor of the Cathedral Parish and School and as a priest of the diocese, I want to assure everyone that we - individually, as parishes, and as a diocese - are committed to protecting all children and young people in our midst. In response to the horrific cases of sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic clergy, the bishops of the United States developed in 2002 and have thoroughly implemented a comprehensive plan to protect the most vulnerable among us. It includes the requirement for all diocesan and parish personnel to have a background check and be trained in the prevention of child abuse. Furthermore, this requirement extends to all volunteers who are in direct contact with minors on a regular basis. The Diocese of Bismarck strictly adheres to these criteria. Once again this past August, the diocese was found to be in compliance with the United States Catholic Bishops' safe environment program by an independent auditing agency. The Diocese of Bismarck under Bishop Paul Zipfel and Bishop-elect Kagan have been and will continue to be strong supporters of the diocese program to help assure a safe environment for minors in the diocese. They are committed to this in every parish and school. We all must be. (The Rev. John Guthrie is the pastor of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.)
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