Yesterday’s audit released by the U.S. bishops noted that the vast majority of U.S. dioceses were in compliance with the norms established by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People some 10 years ago. Only two Latin-rite dioceses–Lincoln, Nebraska and Baker, Oregon–remain uncooperative, along with six Eastern Catholic eparchies.
At the same time, auditors warned of the danger of complancency, noting that 30 dioceses had failed to provide safe environment training for all children in parishes and schools; the Diocese of Shreveport, Louisiana had failed to convene its review board in the last two years. That’s not too bad, overall, but the financial cost remains shocking: $144 million in the last year alone. Even spread out over just under 200 dioceses, that’s a lot of money.
With two sex abuse-related criminal trials ongoing, and a new push among some to disable the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, it’s clear that the “crisis”–now going on 10 years–is not yet over. But does yesterday’s report show that we are taking steps toward resolution?
