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Statement on the National Review Board Compliance Report
Statement of Rev. Robert J. Silva, President of the National Federation of Priests' Councils, on the National Review Board Compliance Report
The National Federation of Priests’ Councils has reviewed the progress report of the Office of Youth Protection under the direction of Kathleen McChesney. The report reviews the mandate given to the Office of Child and Youth protection by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; lays out a detailed chronology of the events that took place between June 14, 2002 and November 2003;describes the components and procedures for the implementation of a Safe Environment Program; presents a flow chart of the organizational structure and responsibility of the USCCB’s initiatives to protect children and youth; recognizes those dioceses that have model Victims Assistance Coordinators, strong Safe Environment Programs, and overall strong programs in implementing the Charter. Finally, the report turns to the Compliance Audit conducted by the Gavin Group, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, an independent firm headed by retired FBI official William Gavin. The Audit lists the statistical data which demonstrates that all audited dioceses/eparchies are found to be in compliance with some or all of the articles of the “Charter”. The statistical data is followed by a series of recommendations.
The NFPC highly commends the work of the Office of Child and Youth Protection and is very appreciative of the results of the Audit Report. It affirms the dedication and commitment of the USCCB, of local dioceses and of the Office of Child and Youth Protection in their efforts to implement the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. It applauds the initiatives taken to “ensure the consistent application of the “Charter’s” guidelines and procedures to prevent abuse and properly deal with allegations of misconduct.”
NFPC also strongly supports the many recommendations made by the Office of Youth and Child Protection aimed at preventing further abuses. As a representative body of Priests’ Councils, the NFPC continues to express grave concern for the safety and protection of children. It expresses a deep compassion for those abused by priests.
The NFPC appreciates the recommendations made that seek to protect the rights of priests against whom an allegation has been made.
The NFPC continues to express its concern that an accused priest has
A right to due process:
A right to his good name and a right to privacy;
A right to prompt and timely resolution of a preliminary investigation;
A right to timely canonical trial;
A right to assistance in the restoration of his good name if falsely accused.
The NFPC is also concerned for priests who have not been found criminally convicted, but against whom allegation has been made in years past. Care must be taken to assure just treatment with attention paid to housing, health benefits, and retirement.
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