Bishops to begin reviewing child sex abuse policies

Published: 2004-06-04

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As dioceses continue applying policies to prevent child sex abuse, bishops are starting to examine whether some of the policies should be modified. An issue already being debated is the degree of autonomy that should be exercised by the Office of Child and Youth Protection and the National Review Board. The two entities, composed completely of laity, were created by the bishops to help dioceses implement and monitor compliance with policies. But some bishops have complained that both have been acting too independently, cutting into the autonomy the bishops have in running their diocesan affairs. The bishops, at their June 14-19 special assembly in Denver, are scheduled to discuss two projects directly involving the office and board and their relationship to individual bishops and to the body of bishops.

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