Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 1/8/04)

Following are the chronological efforts to ensure the Safety of Children and Young People in the Diocese of Arlington:

1974: Diocese of Arlington established, Bishop Thomas J. Welsh named Bishop of the Diocese (1974-1983).

1983: Bishop John R. Keating named the second Bishop of Arlington (1983-1998).

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 clergy, parishioners, ministers, educators and volunteers in the prevention and reporting of child abuse. The Diocese also implements an internal audit process by which parishes are routinely audited for compliance with the diocese’s sexual misconduct policies.

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

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 investigation 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 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 is titled, "Policies and Procedures for Compliance with the Charter and Norms of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops" (online at www.arlingtondiocese.org).

August 2003: Catherine M. Nolan, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., appointed as Victim Assistance Coordinator and Director of Child Protection and Safety by Bishop Loverde (for information on 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 basic compliance with the Charter.

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.

Feb. 27, 2004: Release of the National Review Board’s preliminary report on the "causes and context" of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy based on approximately 60 interviews with persons familiar with various aspects of the problem.