1974: Diocese of Arlington established, Bishop Thomas J. Welsh named Bishop of the Diocese (1974-83)

1983: Bishop John R. Keating named the second Bishop of Arlington (1983-98)

1991: Arlington Diocese establishes sexual abuse/misconduct policy, Policy on the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and/or Child Abuse

Arlington Diocese implements a system of seminars to educate parishioners, priests, educators and volunteers in the prevention and reporting of child abuse.

March 1999: Bishop Paul S. Loverde installed as third bishop of Arlington

Bishop Loverde implements an internal audit process by which parishes are routinely audited for compliance with the diocese’s sexual misconduct policies.

May 2002: Bishop Loverde sends a letter responding to questions on the sexual abuse crisis to every household in the Diocese of Arlington.

June 2002: U.S. Bishops meet in Dallas and approve the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and Essential Norms (See www. usccb.org/ocyp/charter.htm)

October 2002: Bishop Loverde establishes Diocesan Review Board, comprised of nine members (majority lay persons) who will assist Bishop Loverde in his assessment of any instances of sexual abuse of minors by priests or deacons and in his determination of suitability for ministry.

December 2002: Holy See gives recognitio (approval) of the U.S. Bishops’ Essential Norms

May 2003: Bishop Loverde establishes Advisory Board, comprised of eight members who serve in an advisory role in the formulation of child sexual abuse policies and procedures

July 2003: Arlington Diocese renews its commitment to the original goals of its 1991 sexual abuse/misconduct policy by updating it to conform to the requirements of the Charter. The revised Policy on the Protection of Children/Young People and Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and/or Child Abuse is online at www.arlingtondiocese.org

August 2003: Catherine M. Nolan, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., appointed as Director of Child Protection and Safety and Victim Assistance Coordinator by Bishop Loverde (Child Protection and Safety at www.arlingtondiocese.org/protect/home.html)

September 2003: Arlington Diocese is audited by the Gavin Group for its compliance with the requirements of the Charter. The on-site audit consisted of personal interviews and file reviews of diocesan records and public documents.

Jan. 6, 2004: National Compliance Audit commissioned by the U.S. Bishops released.

Diocese of Arlington is found to be in compliance with 12 of the 14 Charter articles assessed by auditors.

Feb. 6, 2004: Catherine M. Nolan, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., resigns. Jennifer Alvaro, L.C.S.W., is appointed Director of Child Protection and Safety and Victim Assistance Coordinator.

Feb. 11, 2004: Bishop Loverde announces that the Diocese of Arlington will build on its previous safe environment programs for clergy, diocesan employees, volunteers and interested parents by using "Protecting God’s Children," a program which teaches awareness of and skills for preventing child abuse.

Feb. 18, 2004: Bishop Loverde publishes a "Report on the History of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Clergy in the Diocese of Arlington" containing information on all known incidents of sexual abuse of minors by clergy in the diocese since its establishment in 1974.

Feb. 27, 2004: Release of John Jay Study, commissioned by the U.S. Bishops, on the nature and scope of the problem of sexual abuse of children and young people by clergy within the Catholic Church in the United States.