By Michael F. Flach
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 10/30/03)

The annual Fall Gathering of priests took place recently at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Great Falls. Hosted by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde, approximately 150 priests from across the diocese were in attendance.

The annual gathering started with mid-morning prayer. Bishop Loverde then introduced the newly ordained diocesan priests and religious order priests who are new in the diocese.

The bishop expressed his gratitude to all the priests and parishes for making the recent "Rooted in Faith – Forward in Hope" Capital Campaign such a huge success. Total pledges to the campaign as of Sept. 26 exceeded $114 million. Fifty three parishes and missions achieved or surpassed their assigned goal. The priests were thanked for their efforts and each parish will receive a special plaque commemorating their involvement in the campaign.

Steve Luteran, the new executive director of Catholic Charities, gave a brief talk. "I try to lift up people in my job at Catholic Charities," he said. Luteran talked about the difficulties he faced upon taking the Catholic Charities post, which included budget cuts and staff layoffs. "In our weakness we find our strength," he said. "We do good work at Catholic Charities, but there’s plenty more to be done."

Luteran was followed by Father Gerry Creedon, Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Arlington, who spoke on his involvement in the Virginia Interfaith Commission for Public Policy.

Father Brian Bashista, diocesan promoter of vocations, outlined the activities his office is undertaking this year. Six candidates have entered seminary formation for the diocese and three women from the diocese have entered religious life, he said.

A new vocations poster and brochures have been developed and four discernment groups, each with 30 active members, have been established, Father Bashista said. The diocese also is reinstituting Serra International, a lay group that promotes religious vocations. Father Robert J. Rippy will be the moderator.

Father Francis Peffley, administrator of Holy Trinity Parish in Gainesville, reminded the priests about the Oct. 18 Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

The "Charter on the Protection of Children and Young People" was the focus of the afternoon session which was designed for information sharing as well as healing. Bishop Loverde recapped the bishops’ meeting in Dallas that generated the national charter and responded to the questions and concerns of his priests.

Bishop Loverde reported that the audit of the Diocese’s progress in implementing the Charter was conducted the week of Sept. 22 on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. One area of improvement that the diocese has already begun to work on as a result of the audit is its system of background checks for clergy, employees and volunteers in the diocese, by utilizing the resources of law enforcement and community agencies, according to Catherine M. Nolan, diocesan director of Child Protection and Safety.

During the meeting, the priests were asked to fill out and sign a "Criminal History Record Request" form that permits the Virginia State Police to conduct an extensive background check. Diocesan schools are already required to conduct criminal history background checks on teachers and teacher’s aide as part of their state accreditation process. Catholic Charities’ employees likewise undergo criminal history background checks as part of their state certification.

During the audit the diocese was commended for its sexual misconduct seminars which have been in place since 1991.

The bishop’s remarks were followed by a panel discussion that included Nolan’s new assistant, Jennifer Alvaro; Beth Iddings, supervisor of the Sex Abuse Unit of Fairfax County’s Child Protective Services; diocesan attorney Mark Bierbower from Hunton and Williams; Father Mark S. Mealey, O.S.F.S., Moderator of the Curia; and Father David Whitestone , canon lawyer.

Panel members discussed the recently revised Diocesan Policy on the Protection of Children/Young People and Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and/or Child Abuse.

Father Mealey said priests, as well as diocesan employees and volunteers, have a dual responsibility to civil and Church authorities to report suspected cases of abuse. The Diocesan Review Board assesses all allegations of clergy sexual abuse to determine whether they are credible or not, and whether or not the allegation conforms to the definition of sexual abuse in the Charter, he said.

Father Whitestone reviewed the canonical rights of accused clergy, including the right to privacy, the right to a good reputation, the right to be heard, and the right to recourse or appeal.