November 7, 2002
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org
Archdiocese issues revised Child Abuse Policy
The Archdiocese of Portland has issued a revised and updated Child Abuse
Policy. The previous version of the policy
was issued in February of 2002. Archbishop
John G. Vlazny wrote that the policy was
revised to ensure "that it is in full compliance
with the American Bishops' Charter for
the Protection of Children and Young
People." The revised policy also takes
into consideration suggestions for
improvements from pastors, school principals
and civil authorities.
The 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;
* The designation of an in-house Assistance
Coordinator to coordinate response in
situations of reported child abuse.
The revised policy states that the "Child Protection Officer will be available
to
assist parishes and schools in implementing
this Child Abuse Policy and developing
'safe environment' programs."
The revised policy more clearly specifies reporting procedures for mandatory
reporters: clergy, school personnel, etc.
The policy continues to emphasize that
they "are required to report (or cause
to be reported) suspected child abuse to the
Department of Human Services ("DHS") or
to a law enforcement agency." An
Appendix has been included listing "countywide
daytime and after-hours phone
numbers for reporting child abuse" for
each county in the Archdiocese of Portland,
which includes the eighteen counties in
western Oregon.
The third new feature is "the designation of an-in-house Assistance Coordinator
to coordinate response in situations of
reported child abuse of minors by
Archdiocesan personnel." Archbishop Vlazny
has named Mrs. Cathy Shannon,
Archdiocesan Director of Religious Education
to be the Archdiocesan Assistance
Coordinator and to fulfill the role of
Child Protection Officer. The policy states that
the first response to child abuse is to
report to civil authorities: "immediate and direct
reporting to the proper civil authorities."
The policy continues that the next response
"should be assistance to bring healing
and pastoral care wherever that is possible."
The Archdiocesan Child Abuse Policy also
asks that "each church and school will
designate one person to coordinate and
ensure implementation of the policies and
procedures required by this policy (e.g.,
background checks, training for personnel,
etc.)."
A Ministry Review Board is established by this policy. The Ministry Review
Board will "assist the Archbishop in assessing
allegations and fitness for ministry,
and will regularly review Archdiocesan
policies and procedures for dealing with
sexual abuse of minors." This Board will
present reports as needed to the National
Review Committee of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops on how the
Archdiocese is meeting the requirements
of the Charter for the Protection of Children
and Young People.
Members of the Archdiocese of Portland's Ministry Review Board are:
Mrs. Lynn Dwyer, Owner and President of Therapy Products, Inc.
Mrs. Nancy Glass, Board of Directors, St. Andrews Nativity School
Dr. Shane Haydon, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Springbrook Northwest,
Dr. Leila Keltner, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director of CARES Northwest
Mr. Allen Reel, J.D., Attorney, Oregon
State Bar House of Delegates, Oregon State
Bar Professional Responsibility Board
Dr. Russell N. Sacco, M.D., J.D., Retired
Urological Surgeon, Medical-legal
consultant.
Hon. George Van Hoomissen, Senior Judge,
State of Oregon, Retired Oregon State
Supreme Court Justice
The revised Child Abuse Policy re-states, "child abuse of any kind is never
to be
tolerated." The policy also recognizes
that "it is vigilance that prevents abuse and sees
that no child, no one at all, is victimized
by such sinful and hurtful behavior. The
Archdiocese has promulgated this policy
to focus and aid that vigilance."
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