Audits ok'd

The U.S. bishops have approved a second round of on-site audits of all U.S. dioceses to monitor compliance with child sex abuse prevention policies.

The decision was made during the bishops' June 14-19 spring meeting, held in Colorado.

The bishops also directed its all-lay National Review Board to prepare, in conjunction with the bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse, proposals for a study on the causes and context of the clergy sex abuse crisis. The study was called for in "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People," passed by the bishops two years ago.

The 2004 audits will be the second annual report on how dioceses are complying with policies in the carter. The 2003 audits showed 90 percent compliance, including by the Albany Diocese.

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard told The Evangelist that the bishops "recommitted ourselves to public accountability and transparency, as the charter calls for, both by having all dioceses undergo individual audits this year, and by developing a proposal for a major study on the causes and contest of clergy sexual abuse." 

(By Catholic News Service and James Breig, editor)

(6/24/04)