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Auditor finds diocese in compliance with bishops' protection charter
Jim Myers

COLORADO SPRINGS. An independent audit by the Gavin Group in November revealed that the Diocese of Colorado Springs is in compliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Charter for the Protection of Young Children. The charter was written in 2002 in response to clergy sex scandals in the early part of this decade, and nearly every diocese in the country adheres to the charter.

"We have been recognized for doing more than is necessary," said Ed Gaffney, director of the diocesan Office of Pastoral Services.

Some specific areas where the diocese is going above and beyond the charter are screening of volunteers and employees as well as the diocesan safe environment training. The diocese conducts a criminal background investigation (CBI) on anyone who has "high-risk contact" with children and youth, and each undergoes the two-hour safe environment training delivered by Gaffney and Terri Sortor, diocesan human resources manager. The training is conducted on-site at parishes, and there are also online and video elements available.

Gaffney personally had to submit to a CBI and safe environment training when he volunteered to chaperone a youth group trip with several parishes to Arizona a couple of years ago.

The Diocese of Colorado Springs has been found in compliance with the charter each time it has been audited. In 2005, the diocese sent documents to the auditors. In 2003, officials performed their independent audit on-site.

"Keeping our children safe is of the highest priority in this diocese. I am very grateful to Ed Gaffney and Terri Sortor for their excellent and very time-consuming work with the clergy and lay employees and volunteers throughout the diocese," said Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan. "We never want to see a child hurt by anyone who represents the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Colorado Springs."

The Gavin Group was awarded the audit contract because of its qualifications; more than 90 percent of the auditors trained for the bishops’ charter audit are former FBI agents.

"What that tells the public is the bishops are serious about making sure their mandates are followed," said Gaffney.

Gaffney presented the results of the audit to a group of three dozen parish, school and diocesan employees at Holy Apostles Church Feb. 11 and also gave a refresher on diocesan safety procedures. During the meeting, Gaffney identified cohabitation as the "biggest danger to children." Gaffney cited studies that indicated more abuse is occurring in situations where a single parent has a live-in boyfriend or girlfriend than in any other situation.

"Children living in households with unrelated adults are 50 times more likely to die of inflicted injuries than those living with biological parents," said Gaffney. "Mothers are providing victims for abusers as well as a place for abuse to take place."

Gaffney told attendees of the meeting that parishes can combat this trend with awareness through training. He said proper training of volunteers and employees can help them spot red flags, and it can help parishes act as supportive resources for single parents.

"I think our parishes can be a big difference in this area," he said. "In this area of child safety, I don’t think we can be too protective."

Child safety extends to diocesan youth education. Gaffney relayed a tale of a parish-based youth education program where an 11-year-old was left, unsupervised, in charge of younger children. According to Gaffney, in less than 15 minutes that adult supervision was absent, there was an incident.

"The absolute biggest deterrent to any harm coming to our children is adult supervision," said Gaffney, highlighting the diocesan policy of having two adults in each classroom for parish-based youth education. The two-adult rule does not apply to diocesan elementary and middle schools.

Gaffney said that the two-adult rule serves dual purposes: to make sure children have a safe environment in which to learn and worship in addition to protecting adults from false allegations. Gaffney said if there are two adults in a situation that requires youth supervision, there is less likelihood of malfeasance from adults and children alike.