BishopAccountability.org
	Diocese Abuse Prevention Passes Audit By Charles Honey Press [Grand Rapids MI] March 30, 2006 http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/ news-28/114373399025640.xml&coll=6 GRAND RAPIDS — Four years after the sexual abuse scandal rocked Catholic Churches in West Michigan and elsewhere, more than 28,000 local church personnel, volunteers and young people have been trained to prevent more children from being molested, according to a report released today. An annual audit of U.S. dioceses shows the Grand Rapids Catholic Diocese spent $35,000 on abuse-prevention programs last year, a $10,000 increase from 2004. However, the diocese also shelled out $52,500 on counseling for abuse victims and related legal fees, according to the report by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Another $35,000 was spent on counseling and support for clergy who have been dismissed for abuse. For the third consecutive year, the audit found the 11-county diocese in full compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by U.S. bishops. The report said no new abuse allegations were made against local priests last year. "It's simply a sign the bishops have been faithful to the commitment they made," Grand Rapids Bishop Walter Hurley said. "Some will always think we can do more. We put our best efforts forward and leave the rest in the hands of the Lord." In the first two annual reviews, all 195 dioceses received an onsite visit. During the most recent review, dioceses such as Grand Rapids that had been judged compliant two years in a row were allowed to fill out a questionnaire instead. Some critics said that makes it too easy for dioceses to slip back into practices that led to past abuse. Hurley said parishioners can trust the diocese's report. "Some will not believe a word we say and there isn't anything we can do about that. But I believe most people believe we're honorable people." The bishops' policy emerged from a 2002 outbreak of abuse allegations dating back decades. Since then, seven area priests have been removed or resigned for substantiated allegations. Besides cracking down on abusive priests, the policy called on all dioceses to implement programs to educate ministers, parents and volunteers about abuse prevention. The local diocese requires all parish and school volunteers in regular contact with children to complete at least two and a half hours of training. Clergy, church and school employees receive more extensive training. To date, more than 28,500 diocesan and parish personnel, volunteers and youths have gone through the "Protecting God's Children" program. At St. Patrick Catholic School in Parnell, some 55 people took the training last week. Everyone from playground supervisors to field-trip chaperones learned abuse warning signs and prevention strategies. "It kind of gives an umbrella for the children," said Nancy Woodcock, a trained leader who conducted one of the sessions. "The more people that are made aware, the more people are observing and taking care of the children." Last fall, about 600 school teachers throughout the diocese also were trained to teach their students how to protect themselves from inappropriate touching. "In the long run, I want this program to give kids the tools they need to keep themselves safe," said Bernard Stanko, associate superintendent of Grand Rapids Catholic Schools.
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