Revised clergy sex abuse norms are one item on bishops' June agenda

Published: 2005-05-05

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will face revisions in its "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" and the accompanying "Essential Norms" when the bishops meet this June in Chicago. They will also be asked to approve spending up to $1 million from USCCB reserves to fund an in-depth study of the causes and context behind the decades of clergy sex abuse of minors that exploded into a national church crisis in 2002. Although those items are likely to draw the most media attention, the bishops have a number of other decisions to deal with at the June 16-18 meeting. These include: adoption of a pastoral letter on world mission; a revision of the U.S. Program of Priestly Formation; continuing several current U.S. adaptations of the Roman Missal; a statement of renewed commitment to Catholic elementary and secondary schools; and possible establishment of an annual day of prayer for vocations.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .