Canadian bishops set up task force to update sex abuse guidelines

Published: 2003-12-16

OTTAWA (CNS) -- The Canadian bishops have set up a task force to review and update the way the church responds to allegations of sexual abuse by priests. The task force will update the Canadian church's guidelines, originally composed in 1992, taking into account the experiences and developments over the past 11 years in Canadian dioceses and in other parts of the world, according to a statement by the Canadian bishops' conference. Archbishop V. James Weisgerber of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Auxiliary Bishop Eugene Tremblay of Quebec will serve as co-chairmen of the 11-member task force, which is comprised of laity and clergy, the statement said. The Canadian guidelines, "From Pain to Hope," have assisted dioceses across Canada in developing protocols consistent with the best standards of practice at the time.

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