Bishop: Charter assists victims, protects children

Sees Church becoming 'safest place for children in our society'

BY JAMES BREIG
EDITOR

Reflecting on the five years that have passed since the U.S. bishops adopted their "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People," Bishop Howard J. Hubbard sees many positive changes in the Albany Diocese.

In 2002, he voted in favor of the Charter and was one of the first bishops to activate its provisions.

He cited such steps as not allowing any priest with a credible accusation against him to remain in ministry, using several means of communications to "invite victims to come forward," and hiring a victim's assistance coordinator "to provide outreach, counseling and help" to those who were abused (see related article on page 14).

IMAP

Bishop Hubbard also pointed to the Diocese's creation of the Independent Mediation and Assistance Program (IMAP), a unique effort to "help people take the steps necessary toward healing and a better life."

IMAP, overseen by a retired judge, operated outside of diocesan control as a place for victims to seek mediation.

The Bishop called it "a major step on the part of the Church to make amends and bring healing."

Safety first

Continuing his list of what the Diocese has done over the past five years, he credited ongoing efforts to provide "a safe environment" in the Diocese for children and young people, terming that effort "integral" to carrying out the Charter.

That process has included instituting such steps as background checks on all employees, and training sessions on boundary issues and how to help young people protect themselves.

That training is required of all employees as well as parish and school volunteers who work with children (see story on page 12).

Personal impact

On a personal level, Bishop Hubbard noted that the past five years have "certainly made me more aware of the trauma of abuse. I always knew it was morally wrong and reprehensible, but I am more cognizant of the long-term effects on children if there isn't proper intervention."

Having been falsely accused himself, he said he has also become "more appreciative of due process that respects the accused and the accuser so that the rights of all are protected and respected."

During several months in 2004 when his reputation hung in the balance until he was completely vindicated by an independent investigation, the Bishop said he was "gratified by the outpouring of support from people in and outside of the Diocese, and by their prayers, which sustained me in a time of personal crisis."

Catholics' reaction

The past half-decade, he continued, has also shown "the resiliency of our people. They were shocked by the actions of individual priests and bishops, but the focus of their faith" -- God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit -- was not shaken.

"People have remained faithful to the Gospel message and continue to draw on the sacraments," he added.

He said he was also "impressed by the strength of priests, whose ministry has been battered and bruised but who have soldiered on despite the behavior of a few."

More to do

While pleased with what has happened since the Charter, Bishop Hubbard emphasized that more remains to be done.

"We have to ensure that what we have put in place becomes institutionalized and an integral part of the Church's life," he explained.

He also expects that it will take "many years to restore" complete trust by Catholics. One part of that process, he noted, is "helping people appreciate the steps that have been taken. The media focus on the number of priests accused or the amount of money spent, but they have shown little interest in what the Church is doing so that the crisis doesn't occur again. The Church will be the safest place for children and young people in our society."

(6/28/07)