Bishop expects 'reformulation' of review board to come out of meeting

Published: 2004-06-03

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The meeting of U.S. bishops in Denver June 14-19 will likely lead to a "reformulation" of the National Review Board and a clearer timetable for future audits of child sex abuse prevention policies, a U.S. bishop said. Bishop Donald E. Pelotte of Gallup, N.M., a member of the Administrative Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the role of the review board had been discussed in "ad limina" meetings with Vatican departments, including the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Heads of dioceses are required to make "ad limina" visits every five years. Bishop Pelotte told Catholic News Service June 3 that while the Vatican offered no specific directions some officials there emphasized that the review board was supposed to have a consultative role. He said the Vatican officials "want to avoid altogether the impression that (review board members) are our bosses. I think a lot of bishops feel that way, too."

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