Tag: safe environment

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Protecting children: In learning from its mistakes, Catholic Church can be role model

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

Ten years ago in Dallas, Texas, in June of 2002, the United States Catholic bishops passed their Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. It was a bold move to deal with the sexual abuse of minors by priests and prevent such abuse from happening again.

As we learn more about the sex abuse scandal at Penn State and reports of incidents involving pornography, rape, and sexual abuse at other colleges and universities, it might be wise for our society to pay attention to how the Catholic bishops have dealt with these issues.

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Cheryl Splinter

Diocese of Madison is in full compliance with charter to protect children

To the editor:

The Diocese of Madison successfully completed an in-depth on-site audit for the 2009 to 2010 audit period. The Diocese of Madison is in full compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People.

Implementation of the Charter Norms can be a very labor-intensive endeavor for all of the parish and school communities within our diocese, and the diocesan offices that guide and support the various aspects of “creating safe environments.” Yet, ensuring that all those who have regular access to minors are properly cleared, trained, and supervised is without a doubt well worth the time and energy required to meet this goal to the best of our ability. In addition, educational opportunities and resources are provided to support parents, and help their children develop age-appropriate safety skills.

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Kat Wagner, Catholic Herald Staff

Archbishop Listecki speaks opposing ‘window legislation’

MADISON — Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, archbishop of Milwaukee, spoke at a public hearing held January 12 at the State Capitol against a bill that would, if passed, repeal the statute of limitations for all civil suits filed by childhood sexual abuse victims.

Senate Bill 319 and its counterpart AB-453, currently in committee in the State Assembly, would also create a window for suits previously barred by the statute of limitations. The current statute, amended in 2003, allows child sexual abuse victims 17 years past their 18th birthday to bring a case to civil court against their perpetrator or the perpetrator’s employer if the assault occurred due in part to the employer’s negligence.

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Brent King, Diocese of Madison

Priest’s abuse case being sent to Vatican

MADISON — The members of the Diocese of Madison’s Sexual Abuse Review Board have, after a preliminary investigation into the testimonies and facts surrounding an allegation of child-sexual abuse made against Fr. Joseph Gibbs Clauder, found the allegation to be credible.

Considering the Review Board’s findings, Bishop Robert C. Morlino has agreed with their evaluation and has referred this case to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), in Rome, for judgment.

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Diocese of Madison

Bishop suspends priest to avoid further scandal

It has come to the attention of Bishop Robert C. Morlino that Reverend Gerald Vosen has recently published a book named, Pick a Number: Stories of Faith. In the book, Fr. Vosen makes explicit mention of what occurred during a penal trial, which was initiated to investigate allegations against him involving the abuse of a minor. As Fr. Vosen knows, the entire penal trial is under the Pontifical Secret and no mention of its proceeding is to be made.

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