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March 7, 2005 
VOL.
43, NO. 5Oakland,
CA
Oakland Diocese meets requirements
of bishops’ abuse-prevention charter
The Oakland Diocese has been found in compliance with
the requirements set forth by the U.S. bishops in their Charter of the
Protection of Children and Young People, adopted in 2002.
The diocesan findings were published as an addendum to the bishops’
report on national implementation of the Charter, released Feb. 18. An
earlier 2003 report also found the diocese to have met all the requirements.
Two auditors from the Gavin Group, which conducted audits of all but one
diocese in the U.S., visited Oakland Oct. 3-7 to examine diocesan policies
and procedures for handling allegations of sexual misconduct by priests
and deacons and responding to victims and their families.
In their executive summary, the auditors noted that Bishop Allen Vigneron
or his representative had met with, or offered to meet with, all those
who reported allegations of abuse since the previous audit.
They also noted diocesan efforts to reach out to those parishes where
the abuse occurred.
Bishop Vigneron has visited several parishes to lead liturgies of healing
for abuse victims and the faith communities impacted by knowing the abuse
occurred in their parishes.
During each service he has apologized on behalf of the Church for the
suffering caused by abusing priests.
The diocese continues to respond promptly to all allegations of abuse
and to take such allegations seriously, reporting all allegations of abuse
of minors to public authorities and conducting internal investigations
as well.
The diocese removes from ministry any accused priest or deacon while the
investigation takes place. If the allegation is found to be true, the
priest is permanently removed from public ministry.
