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Contact: John Moynihan 617-680-2131, jmoynihan@votf.org
For Immediate Release
“It’s Not History”,
Says Voice of the Faithful
Newton MA, March 30, 2006 - Voice of the Faithful (VOTF)
is deeply disturbed by the results of the diocesan audits released today
by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The Report on the
Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People confirms all of our suspicions that the clergy abuse crisis is
not “history” as alleged by then USCCB president Archbishop
Wilton Gregory in 2004.
The whole audit process as it is presently designed is questionable.
William Gavin of the Gavin Group, Inc (Boston MA) stated in his letter
of introduction to the findings: “As in the past, no personnel
files were reviewed and the auditors had to rely on the truthfulness
and integrity of those furnishing the information to reach conclusions
and provide statistical data for the audit.”
Yet the audit produced some disturbing findings:
- 993 new victims came forward in 2005, with allegations involving 753
priests and 9 deacons.
- More than 60% of the new victims reported in 2005 were 14 or under.
27 alleged abusive priests are still in active ministry.
- The Gavin study advised that: “Future audits be conducted onsite
and that self-reporting audits be eliminated.” Voice of the Faithful
could not agree more.
The accompanying John Jay Report was no less disturbing. It reported
that 66 dioceses had 15 or more accused priests, and in 22% of the cases
either no action was taken or the alleged perpetrators were reprimanded
and returned to duty.
The report concluded: “Education about the problem of sexual abuse
is the most recognized pathway to the safety of all”. Again, we
agree! Yet after 4 years, 21 dioceses are not in compliance with safe
environment training.
Mary Pat Fox, of New York City, the newly elected President of VOTF
stated: “The crisis is far from over. There were 783 credible allegations
of sexual abuse by priests in 2005 alone! Children continue to be at
risk. Much more work needs to be done! The bishops need to put more emphasis
on training and background checks. In addition they need to stop using
lawyers and lobbyists to abuse survivors once again by fighting the reform
of antiquated sexual abuse laws in a myriad of states.”
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VOTF is a worldwide movement of concerned mainstream
Catholics formed in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. The
group’s mission
is to provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which
the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance
of the Catholic Church. Its goals are to support survivors of clergy
sexual abuse, support priests of integrity, and shape structural change
within the Catholic Church in full accordance and harmony with Church
teaching
For more information about Voice of the Faithful, visit www.votf.org
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