(Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, issued the following statement.)

Shortly after becoming the archbishop of Atlanta, I faced the unhappy but necessary task of addressing charges of child abuse made against a priest who had worked in a parish of the archdiocese. I commissioned an internal review of the situation and established a working committee to propose an archdiocesan policy for responding to any such cases. This task is now complete and official guidelines have been made available to all pastors, administrators, principals, agency directors and department heads of the archdiocese of Atlanta.

The guidelines address the rights of the aggrieved and of the accused. The following points represent the structure and subject matter of the document:

1. All professional categories are addressed as possible subjects of allegations -- diocesan priests, religious community priests, religious brothers and sisters, transitional deacons, permanent deacons, lay employees and volunteers.

2. Each category contains guidelines for reporting, preliminary inquiry and subsequent actions.

3. Every allegation will be reported directly to the archbishop or the vicar general.

4. All cases will receive the personal attention of the archbishop.

5. When a complaint is deemed to have substance, appropriate measures will be taken to remove the accused from contact with minors. Such action does not presume guilt, but is precautionary in nature for the sake of all concerned.

Civil law requires reporting by some officials, but exempts clergy. The archdiocesan policy will be to make reports in all cases, including instances where allegations are made to a priest or deacon. The only exception will be where such reporting would violate the seal of the Sacrament of Confession.

It is my hope that such allegations will never arise again in the archdiocese of Atlanta. If they should, these guidelines will ensure the protection of the rights of all involved.