Diocese has strict protocol to deal with allegations

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

08 July 2008

Contrary to what a Toronto writer stated Saturday, July 5 in her letter to the editor, "Still no strict protocol," there is indeed a strict protocol in existence in the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall to direct diocesan responses to any allegations of sexual misconduct of clergy, employees or volunteers. This protocol is published on our diocesan website and available to anyone interested in studying it.

It is true that each diocese in Canada has developed its own protocol, in contrast to the United States where one protocol was developed for all American dioceses. There is no sign that the Canadian approach is somehow inferior. On the contrary, using an excellent set of guidelines developed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops entitled "From Pain to Hope," Canadian dioceses have been able to develop protocols that better reflect their diverse sizes, populations, resources and histories. This approach is working to the benefit of all involved in bringing forward allegations.

How serious are the Canadian bishops about this? We continually discuss ways of improving our response to complainants, our methods of safeguarding the vulnerable, and our screening procedures for all involved in the Church ís work. Over the past two decades, energy, time and money have been dedicated to this task. There has been a sea-change in the Church's way of dealing with these issues. I am proud to be part of that change.

Paul-Andre Durocher, Bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall

Comments

Paul-Andre Durocher you are full of it period.

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