December 6, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, contact:
Bud Bunce 503-233-8373
Archdiocese is in compliance with charter to protect children
Archbishop John G. Vlazny received a letter dated November 23, 2010 reporting that the Archdiocese of Portland is in compliance with the Charter to Protect Children. The letter from The Gavin Group, the independent auditors of Catholic dioceses across the United States, stated, “Based on the analysis of the results of the 2010 Full Audit of the Archdiocese of Portland OR, you have been found to be in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”
The Charter was adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2002, and revised in June 2005. The Charter provides policies and procedures for the protection of children. The policies and practices of the Archdiocese received full on-sight audits in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010 and data collection audits were performed in 2008 and 2009.
The Archdiocese of Portland is committed to providing a safe environment for all parishioners and students. Since 1995, employee background checks have been a requirement in hiring procedures for those working with children. A background check for volunteers working with minors was required beginning in 2002. These background checks need to be renewed every three years. Since 2007, more than 59,900 background checks have been done for nearly 25,000 individuals who are employees or volunteers.
Parishes and Catholic schools in the Archdiocese have one or more trainers to work with teachers, staff and parents. The Archdiocese uses a safe environment and protection program called “Called to Protect Program” by Praesidium, Inc. For adults, this program teaches about the warning signs of possible sexual abuse or boundary violations with minors, and how to respond to those warning signs. Nearly 40,000 parents and adult family members have received this training. There is also a required on-going training program on the internet for those working four or more times per year with minors called Armatus.
The Archdiocese has an Office for Child Protection/Victim Assistance, which began in 2002. Ms. Cathy Shannon is the director, email cshannon@archdpdx.org.
. Created as an archdiocese in 1846, the Archdiocese of Portland includes 124 parishes and 23 missions. The Archdiocese of Portland includes Catholic parishes in western Oregon from the Columbia River to the California boarder and from the Cascades to the Pacific Ocean.
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