Positive Results: Auditors give diocese high marks for programs to protect children
By Joanne Ward
Associate Publisher
The Diocese of Metuchen, which is in full compliance with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, was one of just over 10 dioceses out of 191 in the United States who chose to undergo a full-scale, on-site USCCB audit of its programs to protect children.
Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski did so in order to demonstrate his continual commitment to having an open and transparent program, even though this year, the USCCB did not require dioceses in compliance with its charter to participate in the audit.
The individual responsible for working with the USCCB’s auditors is Lawrence V. Nagle, director, diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection, who spoke with The Catholic Spirit about this year’s audit.
Q. When was the audit conducted and have we received any results?
A. The audit was conducted the first week of October. The preliminary results show that we are in full compliance. We will get official notification of the results early next year.
Q. How many staff members were interviewed for the audit?
A. We gave the auditors a list of diocesan staff and others whose job is to implement aspects of the Charter, and they selected those to whom they wanted to speak. The auditors interviewed 11 people, including pastors, as well as a victim (of child abuse).
Q. Was this year’s audit different from last year’s audit?
A. The content of the questions was similar, but this year the auditors were sent materials about our policies and programs two weeks prior to coming to the diocese, so they had time to prepare for their interviews.
Q. How many employees and volunteers have completed the Protecting God’s Children program, been fingerprinted and undergone criminal history background checks?
A. To date over 11,000 individuals have completed our programs, and new people comply with the program every day, especially at this time of year when our basketball season is about to begin.
Q. What do you think most impressed the auditors about our program?
A. I think our whole program impressed them — from our reporting protocols to our operations — specifically how we report our cases and deal with our victims.
One thing that especially caught their attention was the booklet that was recently distributed to over 50,000 families. Produced by the Religious Education Department in conjunction with my office, the booklet, Parenting to Prevent Abuse and A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety, offers both information and resources. It provides parents with information about the New Jersey Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) program, as well as how to keep their children safe when they are on the Web.
The auditors were also impressed with the openness and transparency of our diocese, and with our Web site, which contains a wealth of information that is easily accessible. They said that in all of their audits, they had not seen another Web site like ours, which even allows people to check the names of those who have been fingerprinted.
Q. Has your Web site been expanded since our last audit?
A. Yes, our Web site is constantly updated. This past year, for instance, we listed the names of the victims’ assistance coordinators in all dioceses throughout the country. We expanded the background coordinators’ section, and we added links in the parents’ section, including the multi-offender, sex offender registry, which is maintained by the FBI.
Q. Why do you think our program is so successful?
A. It starts at the top with the leadership of Bishop Bootkoski, who is committed to providing a safe environment for our children.
In addition, a project like this can only be accomplished with the cooperation of the leaders that run the specific offices within the diocese, as well as the assistance of all our pastors, school principals, parents and volunteers. This is a collaborative effort, a group effort that becomes stronger as these individuals make sure our programs and policies are followed.
I’ve also seen a major transition in the mindset of people. People know now what our program is, and they are reaching out to us. Our parents and volunteers, as well as the people in our parishes and schools, understand that there is a reason for our programs, and they are embracing them and seeking them out. I receive emails all the time from individuals who say that they want to volunteer and have heard they need to go through the Virtus program. They want to know what they have to do.
Q. Have any priests in our diocese been removed during the past year because of allegations of sexual abuse?
A. Only one priest has been removed, and that case is pending review by the Vatican.
Q. Where can individuals get more information on Virtus and the services and programs your office provides?
A. All they need to do is visit our Web site www.diometuchen.org/cyp/.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law