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Child
Sexual Abuse Crisis in the Catholic Church
Open
Letter to the Cardinal's Commission on Child Protection
by Massachusetts Citizens
for Children Board of Directors
The
large number of reported sexual abuse cases by priests in
the Boston Archdiocese requires strengthening procedures
that protect children in the church from abuse. The Diocese
of Dallas, since suffering a similar situation in the 1990's
(see Boston Globe article March 19, 2002), instituted a
series of procedures to improve child protection and also
protect clergy from false accusations. These measures have
proved successful. Abusing priests have been weeded out,
church enrollment is rising, and financial difficulties
(from settlements) are being overcome. It is reported (Boston
Globe, idem) that the Dallas Diocese has recently been a
source of guidance for the Boston Archdiocese. This is constructive.
Our
organization, the Massachusetts Citizens for Children (founded
1960), is the oldest child advocacy agency in the United
States. We understand that child abuse exists in many institutions
in our country, including schools. We are offering our expertise
to assist the Archdiocese of Boston by urging the adoption
of the following procedures:
- Candidates for the priesthood, should undergo thorough
reference checks and criminal background checks conducted
by an outside, independent agency; they should also
have an in-depth psychological interview by a non-church
entity.
- New Priests should be assigned an older, experienced
priest as their mentor. Bi-weekly or monthly meetings
should be held for guidance and observation.
- All parish children should receive thorough instruction
in the recognition and reporting of sexual abuse.
- No child should be alone with a priest anywhere at
anytime, except for the Sacrament of Confession. This
will protect both child and priest.
- Complaints of child abuse by a priest must be reported
to the police immediately. The priest must be removed
immediately from interaction with children. If the charge
is substantiated, the priest should be removed from
the priesthood.
We think
it important that any committee or commission appointed
to oversee child safety be independent of the church. Such
a committee might for example include: a Catholic priest,
Lay Catholics (youth group leaders, parish parents), abuse
victims, law enforcement representatives, child advocates,
and a judge, with half of the committee from outside the
Archdiocese, for objectivity.
As advocates,
our intent in these recommendations is to assist the Archdiocese
of Boston in preventing any further victimization of children.
There is no greater responsibility than preserving the health
and well-being of our children.
Board
of Directors
Massachusetts
Citizens for Children
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