Archdiocese’s Safe Environment Program to Be Audited Onsite in 2015

Catholic Spirit
December 18, 2014

http://thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/archdioceses-safe-environment-program-audited-onsite-2015/

This spring, an external agency will conduct an onsite audit of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ safe environment policies and procedures to determine compliance with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

In November, StoneBridge Business Partners of Rochester, N.Y., confirmed that the archdiocese met the data collection requirements for the 2013-2014 audit period.

The spring audit will include interviewing archdiocesan leaders responsible for each article of the Charter, checking source documentation for safe environment activities, and potentially conducting parish and school audits, according to Tim O’Malley, the archdiocese’s director of ministerial standards and safe environment.

The USCCB’s audit is conducted annually, with an onsite audit done every third year. For the 2013-2014 audit, the archdiocese submitted to StoneBridge for review data regarding alleged victims, accused clerics, adult and child safe environment training, background checks and information on how the data is collected and compiled.

The USCCB established the Charter and accompanying “Essential Norms” in 2002 as a set of guiding principles and particular law for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Charter also includes practical and pastoral steps for reconciliation, healing, accountability and prevention of future acts of abuse.