The church continues to work to raise awareness about the horrible crime of child abuse and neglect by adults in our society and our collective need to be vigilant in our protection of minors as well as to assist in the healing of victims/survivors of abuse. The sexual abuse of minors is not an issue just for the Catholic Church, but for all churches, families, educational systems, athletic groups and social clubs – and in many nations and cultures. For a good number of years, no institution has worked harder or at greater cost than the church in the United States to address this societal tragedy and protect children. We continue our commitment to insuring that safe environments remain an integral part of everyday church life through implementation of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
Resources:
Child & Youth Protection in the diocese
What National Review Board Learned From Child Sex Abuse Victims
Q&A regarding the Canonical Process for the Resolution of Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests and Deacons (USCCB)
News from Catholic media sources:
Cardinal Levada says New York Times unfair in its stories on pope
Vatican intensifies defense of pope in sex abuse cases
Vatican on "Murphy Case"
Church commitment against child abuse
Decline reported in U.S. abuse reports
USCCB Blog: Holy Week 2010: Suffering with the Lord
Opinion/commentary from prominent Catholic journalists:
Fr. Raymond de Souza in The National Review
Michael Sean Winters in America magazine
George Weigel in First Things
George Weigel & Rev. Jay Scott Newman in NRO
Vatican Radio Interview - John Allen