The following statement was issued by the Oakland Diocese on April 1 in response to a series of articles by the MediaNews Group in its East Bay newspapers.

The Diocese of Oakland is saddened by the recent decision of the MediaNews group to run a series of articles revisiting past sexual abuse accusations made against clergy in the Diocese of Oakland. While there is nothing that can be done to change the past, the diocese continues to be fully committed to ensuring that all our parishes, schools, religious education programs and other programs involving children and youth are safe environments.

In the fall of 2007 the Diocese of Oakland was audited and found to be in full compliance with the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” issued by the Bishops of the United States.

The diocese maintains a fully staffed Safe Environment for Children and Youth office which is committed to the ongoing education of young people and all adults who work with young people. This includes both lay and ordained, employees and volunteers in the Diocese of Oakland.

The diocese is fully committed to working with law enforcement agencies and civil authorities in the reporting and investigation of any allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.

The diocese is committed to seeking reconciliation and healing with those who have survived clergy abuse, their families and communities.

The diocese offers a support group for survivors and their families on the first Saturday of every month. This support group is staffed by a licensed psychotherapist and supported by the diocesan Victims Assistance Coordinator who attends all meetings.

In the year 2000, the Diocese of Oakland held the first apology service in the United States for survivors of clergy abuse. Since then, Bishop John Cummins and Bishop Allen Vigneron have held apology services throughout the Diocese in parishes where abuse has taken place. The next apology service will be offered on October 7, 2008 in the new Cathedral of Christ the Light.

The Diocese of Oakland takes with the utmost seriousness all accusations of sexual misconduct on the part of any priest or employee of the diocese. The Diocese of Oakland encourages anyone who believes they have been abused to contact the Victims Assistance Coordinator of the diocese, Sister Glenn Anne McPhee, at (510) 267-8334.

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