The Numbers
Click below for external links to additional information
The Timeline
The Changes: 17 Protocols
On October 13, 2014 the Archdiocese announced 17 child protection protocols, which were put in place as part of one of the settlement of the Doe 1 case. Those protocols are summarized below:
1. The Archdiocese shall not recommend clergy for active ministry or positions with access to minors who have pending or substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor.
2. The Archdiocese shall disclose accusations of minor sexual abuse to any Diocese or employer inquiring about the existence of such accusations to the extent allowed by law (does not apply to ministerial assignments within the Archdiocese.
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3. Archdiocesan leadership shall meet with any survivor in a supervised setting with a facilitator when appropriate.
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4. For 5 years, the Archdiocese shall publish in the Catholic Spirit 4 times per year a statement urging abuse victims to make a report with law enforcement.
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5. Upon request of a survivor, the Archbishop shall send a personal apology to survivors with credible claims.
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6. The Archdiocese shall continue to inform parishes and schools on the prevention of abuse and reporting.
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7. The Archdiocese shall continue to provide VIRTUS training or its equivalent to all new Archdiocese employees.
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8. All mandated reporters at the Archdiocese shall be trained every 3 years and within 30 days of hiring.
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9. The Archdiocese shall adopt a whistleblower policy.
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10. By March 31, 2015, the Director of Ministerial Standards shall obtain from each clergy member working in the Archdiocese a written statement that he has not sexually abused any minors and that he has no knowledge of any abuse of minors by any other priests that has not been reported.
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11-13. The Archdiocese shall continue to prohibit its employees and volunteers from being alone with any unrelated minor and shall continue to prohibit priests from having unrelated children in their automobiles or on any trips unless supervised. Priests are prohibited from sleeping in the same space with any unrelated minor.
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14-15. Public disclosure of substantiated claims of sexual abuse by clergy and those facing pending credible claims under investigation shall be ongoing. The Archdiocese will share this information on a press release on its website. Documents concerning substantiated claims will be made public.
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16. The Archdiocese shall remove photos and visible honors from public displays of priests with substantiated claims of minor sexual abuse.
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17. After receiving a report of child sexual abuse and making a mandated report to law enforcement, the Archdiocese shall not conduct an internal investigation and will not interfere with law enforcement until the conclusion of the investigation.
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The full list can be found here.
2018 Homilies: Responses to PA
Below you'll find a list of homilies and other responses by local priests to the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report and other recent scandals:
Cardinal McCarrick and responsibility, by Archbishop Bernard Hebda
Archbishop Hebda's Statement Regarding Action and Accountability, August 31, 2018
Bishop Cozzens' Statement Regarding Review Board for Bishops, August 31, 2018.
Annunciation Church, August 19, 2018, homily by Fr. Brian Park
Basilica of St. Mary, Fr. John Bauer's letter to parishioners
The Church of the Epiphany, August 26, 2018 homily by Fr. Colin Jones
CChurch of St. Raphael, August 19, 2018 homily by Fr. Robert Altier.
Holy Family Catholic Church, August 19, 2018 homily by Fr. Joseph Johnson
Our Lady of Lourdes, column by Fr. Daniel Griffith
St. Olaf Catholic Church, Fr. Patrick Kennedy's bulletin letter
St. Thomas More Catholic Community, August 28, 2018 homily by Fr. R.J. Fichtinger
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Has your parish posted a homily on the crisis online? Fill out the below, and we'll add it here!