News

Diocese again in compliance with national standards

By Renae Bauer
Communications Department

For the fourth consecutive year the Green Bay Diocese is in full compliance with the U.S. Bishops' national standards for creating and maintaining safe environments for children, Bp. David Zubik announced last week.

"For 2006, we bishops had the choice of undergoing a full, on-site audit or submitting a self-audit. Because I believe firmly in the value of having outside objective eyes evaluate our work, I requested that our diocese undergo the on-site audit," Bp. Zubik said.

"The audits give us valuable feedback on how well we are meeting the expectations set forth in the U.S. Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People," Bp. Zubik said. "Ultimately, this is a measure of how well we are serving survivors of abuse and how well we are creating safe environments for children and young people today."

Two auditors from The Gavin Group Inc., an independent, non-church organization based in Winthrop, Mass., measured compliance. For the last four years the firm has been auditing U.S. archdioceses and dioceses. Most of its auditors are former FBI agents.

The auditors visited Green Bay Nov. 6-10, 2006. They verified diocesan efforts to communicate with survivors, process allegations, conduct background checks, educate adults and children about how to prevent abuse and what to do if abuse is suspected.

The auditors interviewed Bp. Zubik, diocesan employees (lay and ordained) and members of the eight-member Independent Review Board that assesses allegations of sexual abuse by priests and other church personnel. They also reviewed "Our Promise to Protect, Policies on Appropriate Conduct," the document that outlines diocesan policy and procedures on this critical matter.

"As I have said all along, I will continue to listen to victims and survivors, and we will continue to educate children and adults, screen our staff and volunteers, and respond as needs arise," Bp. Zubik said.

Since April 2003, the diocese has conducted more than 17,000 background checks on staff and volunteers at its 168 parishes, 67 schools and diocesan offices. The diocese also has conducted 472 training sessions on abuse prevention for staff and volunteers.

The executive summary of the auditors' report on the diocese, as well as policies, procedures and past reports are online at www.gbdioc.org under the "Protecting Our Children" icon.