The Diocese of San Bernardino[Possible Model For National Plan?]

Los Angeles Lay Catholic Mission | June,2002 | staff

[Lady In Blue]

Though the San Bernardino diocese(California)has had,since 1993,a zero tolerance policy regarding sexual abuse of minors by priests and diocesan employees, Bishop Gerald Barnes, on Thursday,May 2,announced new reforms to prevent sexual molestation, according to a May 3 Los Angeles Times report."As a diocese we're taking new initiatives and strengthening existing ones,"said Bishop Barnes.The new policies include the mandatory fingerprinting of priests,deacons,sisters and lay men who work or will work with children,and a PROHIBITION AGAINST CONFIDIENTIAL SETTLEMENTS with victimes of molestation.This last policy, said diocesan spokesman, Father Howard Lincoln, would be retroactive.Since its founding in 1978,the diocese of San Bernardino has paid out $350,000 in such settlements, according to the Times.

[Lady In Blue]

San Bernardino Diocese is located in the largest diocese in the state and possibly in the United States,so I would expect it to have a lot of influence among the bishops.I would have liked to have seen from my bishop,a statement saying - NOT A PENNY TO AN ACCUSER,WITHOUT PROOF!This article is excerpted from the "Los Angeles Lay Catholic Mission" Newspaper.

FYI and discussion.

[Lady In Blue]

ping