Under ConstructionThe Response of the Catholic Church to Sexual Abuse Scandals
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Catholic Perspectives on the Response of the Church to the Sex Abuse Scandals: This three-session seminar will focus on the steps taken by the Catholic church in the U.S. in response to the sex abuse scandals. The focus will be on the background of the crisis; the June, 2002, meeting of the U.S. Catholic bishops, and the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the bishops at that meeting; the work of the National Review Board established by the bishops in 2002; and the study of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The seminar leaders will be Prof. Jim Bolner, Sr., and Prof. Greg Hussey. The seminar sessions, to which every adult is invited, will be held from 9-11 a.m. June 7, 14, and 21 [all Mondays], in the parish library. Contact person: jimbolnersr at cox.net; phone: 766.5987.___________________________________________________________________
Tentative Outline
Response of the Church to the Sex Abuse Scandals
I. Introduction and background
Secrecy and settlements
Bursting the Boil: the Boston cases
II. The June, 2002, Dallas Meeting of the Catholic Bishops
The Meeting
The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies
Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons
III. The Reports of 2004
The Report of the National Review Board
The Audit Reports
The Report of the John Jay School of Criminal Justice
Internet Resources:
Avery Dulles, "Rights of Accused Priests: Toward a revision of the Dallas charter and the ‘Essential Norms’," America, June 21-28, 2004
"Articles & Editorals on Catholic Politicians and Bishops in America Magazine Bishops in America Magazine"The 1985 Report by Peterson, Mouton, and Doyle
Abuse Tracker: A Digest of Media Coverage of Clergy Abuse
Google Search for "Clergy Sexual Abuse"
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops - National Review Board, John Jay, and Audit Reports
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops [Documents on the Problem]
Report on the Crisis in the Catholic Church in the United States. The National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People Established by the USCCB [PDF format]The John Jay College of Criminal Justice: Report on Sexual Abuse
National Catholic Reporter: The Catholic Church and Sexual Abuse by Priests
National Federation of Priests' Councils
St. Anthony Messenger (Special Issue) - Crisis in the Church
Thomas J. Reese, "Facts and Myths, and Questions," America, March 22, 2004
Thomas G. Plante, "Another Aftershock," America, March 22, 2004
Andrew M. Greely, "A Bad Day for the Bishops," America, March 22, 2004
Katarina M. Schuth, "Seminaries and the Sex Abuse Crisis," America, March 22, 2004
"Editorial: Beyond the Numbers," Commonweal, March 2, 2004
"Editorial: Back to Square One as Bishops Duck Audits," National Catholic Reporter, April 16, 2004
Mary Gail Frawley-O'Dea, "The Experience of the Victim
of Sexual Abuse:" A Reflection (2002)______
How the Clergy Sexual Abuse Affects Evangelical Churches [Christianity Today]
jimbolnersr at cox.net