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Document Archive
See also the Audit Compliance Summary Report to which this letter refers.
Justin Cardinal Rigali
Archbishop of Philadelphia
Pastoral Letter concerning the Charter Compliance Audit
12 November 2003Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
In June 2002, the United States Catholic Bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. This Charter provides a comprehensive framework to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors and to ensure, as much as possible, safe environments for children and young people.
In accord with Article 8 of the Charter, the National Review Board and the Office of Child and Youth Protection of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops conducted a compliance audit of every diocese within the country, including the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This audit was performed here in Philadelphia by the Gavin Group, Inc. of Winthrop, Massachusetts in September 2003. Two former FBI agents had the task of determining the level of compliance of the Archdiocese in implementing the provisions of the Charter. On January 6, 2004, the National Review Board will publish the results of the compliance audits for every Catholic diocese throughout the country.
I am pleased to inform you that the auditors found the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to be in full compliance with the Bishops’ Charter. It is of value to note that the auditors reviewed numerous pertinent documents as well as interviewed appropriate archdiocesan staff, members of the Archdiocesan Review Board, victims and accused clergy. The Archdiocese cooperated fully and provided all the information requested by the audit team. At the end of the process, the audit team found the Archdiocese in basic compliance and offered to it recommendations in three specific areas, namely, to determine the residence of offenders who retain priestly status and to implement a system to insure they are conforming to the Charter; to translate critical policies, procedures and training into additional languages for the benefit of the faithful; and, to work with the Archdiocesan Review Board to expedite its process and procedures.
The Archdiocese immediately initiated steps to fulfill the recommendations of the audit and provided this information to the audit team as requested. On November 12, 2003 the auditors determined that the Archdiocese satisfactorily fulfilled the recommendations and is in full compliance with the Charter.
While this determination by the auditors is significant news for everyone, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia remains committed to strengthening its efforts for the protection of children and the compassionate care of victims of sexual abuse. Once again, I express profound sorrow to anyone who has suffered such abuse as a minor and assure them of a remembrance in my daily prayers.
I take this opportunity to offer gratitude to all those within the Archdiocese who have worked diligently to implement the provisions of the Bishops’ Charter. I am grateful to all our clergy, religious and laity for their cooperation with these measures on behalf of children and youth.
Sincerely in Christ,Cardinal Justin Rigali
Archbishop of Philadelphia