Compliance Audits
Article 8 of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People calls for appropriate audit mechanisms to determine if dioceses and eparchies are complying with the provisions of the Charter.
You may write to the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection, 3211 4th NE, Washington, DC 20017 if you have questions or comments regarding compliance issues that are not addressed below.
What is the authority for the compliance audits?
The compliance audits are authorized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops pursuant to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
What is the purpose of the audits?
The purpose of the audits is to determine if all dioceses and eparchies in the United States are complying with the provisions of the Charter for the protection of children and young people.
Who conducts the compliance audits?
The Compliance audits are conduct by employees of the Gavin Group of Boston, MA.
What qualifications do the auditors have for this work?
The auditors have been selected based on their experience in investigations, auditing, and management.
How often are the compliance audits conducted?
The compliance audits are conducted on an annual basis as provided for in the Charter.
What is the structure of the compliance audits?
The compliance audits are conducted by a team of auditors who visit the diocese or eparchy, conduct interviews, review policies and records where pertinent, and interview a variety of persons both inside and outside of the Church.
Where are the compliance audits conducted?
The compliance audits are conducted in the diocese or eparchy that is being audited.
What types of individuals are interviewed by the auditors?
Interviews may include diocesan or eparchial officials, victim/survivors of abuse, law enforcement officials, priests, deacons, pastors and parishioners among others.
Who selects the individuals to be interviewed by the auditors?
The auditors select all of the persons to be interviewed.
Can anyone who wants to be interviewed speak with the auditors?
Each compliance audit is scheduled for a limited period of time which precludes some persons who might like to speak to the auditors from being interviewed.
How does a person determine if they have information relevant to the compliance audits?
If a person believes that they might have information that is relevant to the compliance audits, that person should first review the articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. If the information indicates that a particular article, or articles, of the Charter are not being complied with, that person may bring that information to that attention of the Gavin Group.
How do I bring information regarding Charter compliance to the Gavin Group?
Individuals may send a letter to the Gavin Group, POB 520162, Winthrop, MA 02152.
What are the Essential Norms and are they subject to the compliance audit?
The Essential Norms are "particular canon law' for the United States relating to how bishops are to deal with allegations of sexual abuse of minors. Though similar to some of the articles of the Charter, they are not subject to the compliance audit.
When are the results of the compliance audits made public?
The results of the compliance audit are provided to the dioceses and eparchies within two weeks following the completion of the audit. The local bishop may publish the results of the compliance audit prior to the completion of the Annual Report on the Implementation of the Charter; otherwise all reports will be posted on the USCCB web-site when the 2004 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Charter is issued.
What is the 2004 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Charter?
The 2004 Annual Report is a report required by the Charter and prepared by the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection. This report provides information to the public relative to the results of each diocesan/eparchial audit.
When will the 2004 Annual Report be completed?
The annual report will be completed in February, 2005.
Was there a 2003 Annual Report?
Yes, the 2003 Annual Report can be found on this website (click here) or purchased from USCCB publishing.