A Message from Bishop Loverde
'Safe Environment' Programs: One Way to Protect Our Children

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Bishop of Arlington
(From the issue of 11/27/03)

In June of 2002, we bishops of the United States promised to protect children and young people and to prevent sexual abuse by committing ourselves to implement the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. "We renew our determination to provide safety and protection for children and young people in our church ministries and institutions" (cf. Preamble).

Article 12 of the Charter states: "Dioceses/eparchies will establish ‘safe environment’ programs. They will cooperate with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children. Dioceses/eparchies will make clear to clergy and to all members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse."

I am writing in reference to ‘safe environment’ programs mandated by Article 12 of the Charter. It is clear that these ‘safe environment’ programs are aimed at all segments of the diocese’s population, beginning with children, youth and their parents, as well as volunteers, employees, contract employees and clergy. All these people need to receive information that will assist them in becoming better informed regarding the realities that sexual abuse may present in their lives.

Obviously, parents have a primary and essential role in this endeavor to provide ‘safe environment’ programs. "Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2223). Others are able to assist parents in this responsibility, including the clergy, religious, Catholic school teachers, catechists and religious education instructors. It is also true that parents have a primary and essential role in teaching their children the truth and meaning of human sexuality.

It is this very right of parents in the education of their children regarding human sexuality that seems disturbing and problematic to some people when the issue of providing ‘safe environment’ programs is raised. I fully support the primary role which parents have in educating their children regarding human sexuality. But, providing ‘safe environment’ programs is not providing instruction about human sexuality. Training programs for children and young people include age appropriate materials pertaining to personal safety. This includes information about improper and abusive touching and relationships. Children are not expected to be fully knowledgeable about child abuse or of the laws governing care of children, but they need to know when they should seek assistance from a trusted adult. Should not parents be the ones to provide this information? Of course, they should be, because they are the first teachers. Any ‘safe environment’ program worthy of consideration would both assist parents in their responsibility to provide the pertinent information in this matter and preview with parents all the information which would be given directly to the children and young people. In fact, the parental component in a ‘safe environment’ program would assist the parents in fulfilling their responsibility regarding the danger of sexual abuse, which is clearly stated in The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality published in 1995 by the Pontifical Council For the Family. "Sexual violence with regard to children is not infrequent. Parents must protect their children, first by teaching them a form of modesty and reserve with regard to strangers, as well as by giving suitable sexual information, but without going into details and particulars that might upset or frighten them" (no. 85).

Should not the parents be the only ones who do this? We bishops clearly state in Article 12 that we "will cooperate with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children." It is clear to me that the Charter requires dioceses/eparchies to have a program directed to children. In fact, I sought an official interpretation of Article 12, specifically on the issue of providing information to children with regard to sexual abuse. In a letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, dated November 19, 2003, this clarification was given. "There is particular importance in preparing children, by means of instruction and discussion with their peers, to have the ability to recognize what sexual abuse is, should they encounter it from teachers, other students, coaches, clerics…or parents. Therefore, it is a substantial responsibility of each diocese to present a suitable program to children – those in both Catholic schools and religious education classes – to help ensure their safety and wellbeing." Obviously, these ‘safe environment’ programs must be sensitive to and respectful of the age and development of the children and young people, and be fully in accord with our Catholic teachings on the dignity of the human person and morality.

There are then two issues with respect to providing ‘safe environment’ programs. The first and primary one is that a multi-faceted program, one geared to every segment in the diocese’s population, be in place in every diocese and eparchy. Among the groups would be parents and children. The second issue, integrally related to the first, is the provision of a particular program or programs. Again, I repeat, any program worth considering must, in its implementation provide for the irreplaceable role of parents in the education of their children, be age-appropriate and rooted in our Catholic teaching.

Some questions are being raised about a particular program being considered for use in our diocese: "Good Touch, Bad Touch," which is a curriculum that has been used by many school systems and communities across the country for many years if this program is selected for implementation, I can assure you that its contents, where needed, will be integrated with our Catholic understanding of the human person and of morality. Father Paul deLadurantaye, who heads our diocesan Office of Religious Education and possesses a doctorate in Sacred Theology, is committed to work with the author of this curriculum, Pamela Church who is in full agreement with this approach.

The diocese is not committed at this point to any one ‘safe environment’ program. This is why a series of consultations have been begun: with Catholic school personnel earlier, with our priests (still ongoing), with parents (on Nov. 30, with a subsequent session on a date to be announced for those unable to attend the November meeting) and parish Directors of Religious Education (on Dec. 4). Following these consultations, a decision will be made by me as the Diocesan Bishop and Chief Pastor of this particular church.

I remain firm in my commitment to implementing the Charter, including Article 12. "Within each of our provinces, we will assist each other to interpret correctly and implement, within our respective jurisdictions, the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, always respecting Church law and striving to reflect the Gospel" (A Statement of Episcopal Commitment, no. 1, General Meeting of the USCCB, November 2002). No one of us who is concerned for the physical, moral and spiritual wellbeing of our children and young people can do any less. As members of the Church, we are all committed to the protection of our children and young people, our greatest treasure and our hope for the future.

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