Independent auditors: Diocese fully complying with bishops' Charter

For the second year in a row, the Albany Diocese has been found by independent auditors to be in full compliance with the U.S. bishops' "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People."

That means that the Diocese continues to properly handle all issues related to the clergy abuse crisis.

The audit was conducted Nov. 1-4 by representatives from the Gavin Group, independent auditors commissioned by the U.S. bishops to study every diocese in America.

Purpose

The purpose of the auditors, who met with diocesan officials and examined documents related to the crisis, was to determine how well the Albany Diocese has fulfilled the Charter, which was adopted in June 2002 by the American bishops.

Since the last audit, which was conducted a year ago, the auditors found that the Diocese has received no allegations of sexual abuse of a minor that would require a report to public authorities.

Nevertheless, the auditors found that the Diocese is in compliance with all applicable civil laws with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities. In addition, the auditors said, the Diocese has established effective liaison with civil authorities, ensuring that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations will occur.

Findings

The auditors found that the Diocese:

* has a policy on the prevention of sexual abuse of minors by clergy;

* provides outreach to victims/survivors and their families;

* has a process by which Bishop Howard J. Hubbard has met with (or offered to meet with) all victims/survivors who have reported allegations of abuse since the last compliance audit;

* has a mechanism in place to respond promptly to any allegation where there is reason to believe that sexual abuse of a minor occurred;

* has a victims/survivors assistance coordinator who is a licensed social worker;

* has made its procedures for making a complaint of abuse readily available in printed form; and

* has not entered into any confidentiality agreements during the audit period.

Programs in place

The independent auditors noted that the Albany Diocese has established clear and well-publicized standards of behavior for priests and deacons, and a communications policy that reflects the Bishop's pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children.

In addition, the auditors noted that the Diocese has fully implemented a "safe environment" education program for children, an educational program for parents, and an educational program for Church employees and volunteers.

The auditors' report also noted that the Diocese conducts background evaluations for all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors.

(12/2/04)