Review: No Evidence of Sex Abuse at Portland Diocese

By Dennis Hoey
Portland Press Herald
December 5, 2012

http://www.pressherald.com/news/Review-of-Portland-Diocese-finds-it-complies-with-churchs-safe-environment-policies.html

PORTLAND — An independent review of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland has shown that the Diocese is in “full compliance” with the Church’s charter that was established to protect minors from sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, and that there's no evidence abuse has occurred.

Dave Guthro, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, said the audit, reviewed the period from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

The three-day-long audit, which was conducted by StoneBridge Business Partners of Rochester, N.Y., found that one hundred percent of all diocesan employees and active clergy had undergone criminal background checks and that employees were implementing programs to protect children from abuse.

“We are 100 percent compliant in all areas of the audit, which was a three-day, thorough, on-site review by independent auditors,” Bishop Richard Malone, Apostolic Administrator for the Portland Diocese, said in a press release issued Tuesday.

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was approved by the U.S. Catholic Bishops in June 2002.

Its mandates include procedures to remove clergy or church employees, who have sexually abused minors, and requires the reporting of all allegations of sexual abuse to authorities.



Contact: dhoey@mainetoday.com