FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2004
|
|
CONTACT:
Sergio Gutierrez
Director of Communications
303-715-3123 |
Statement
from Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and
Auxiliary Bishop Jose H. Gomez on 'Charter' audit report
We are pleased
that the Archdiocese of Denver has been found to be in full compliance
with the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People."
We are also
encouraged by the three commendations the Archdiocese of Denver
received from the audit-team investigators.
The commendations
were awarded for an updated and comprehensive sexual misconduct
policy dating back to 1991, for the appointment of a senior advisor
to the archbishop and liaison to the national Office of Child
and Youth Protection, for the archdiocese's proactive handling
of background checks and evaluations, and for an effective diocesan
system of communicating about sexual abuse issues.
Our commitment
to addressing this very grave issue will continue. This past fall,
the Archdiocese of Denver launched a comprehensive safe environment
program to increase people's awareness about issues of sexual
misconduct. In the months ahead, we will be expanding our Safe
Environment Training Program throughout the archdiocese to help
clergy, lay employees, volunteers and parents identify, prevent
and report child sexual abuse. This program will be an important
part of our Church's life into the future.
+Charles
J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Denver
+Jose H.
Gomez, S.T.D.
Auxiliary Bishop of Denver
For more
information about the audit and the Archdiocese of Denver Code
of Conduct, please visit www.archden.org.
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