Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
The Archdiocesan Child Abuse Policy is an effort to ensure the safety of
children entrusted to our care.
This policy has been revised so that it is in full
compliance with the American Bishops’
Charter
for the Protection of Children and
Young People. Other changes
reflect suggestions from pastors, principals, civil
authorities and others for the improvement
of our policy.
The policy continues to focus on the protection of children and the prevention
of
child abuse. New features include:
> The appointment of a Child Protection
Officer to assist parishes and schools in
implementing
the Child Abuse Policy and developing “safe environment”
programs;
> Encouraging direct reporting of suspected child abuse to civil authorities; and
> The designation of an in-house
Assistance Coordinator to coordinate response in
situations of
reported child abuse.
The safety of children entrusted to our care and the healing of abuse survivors
are important Church priorities.
They are concerns I share with all Archdiocesan
personnel. Please pray that we may
be worthy of the continued trust of those we serve.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend John G. Vlazny
Archbishop of Portland in Oregon