Diocese of Helena in first round of next Charter audit cycle

As reported in the Oct. 19, 2007 issue of The Montana Catholic, the Diocese of Helena was found in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The Gavin Group conducted a full audit in September 2007, and reported the diocese’s full compliance status to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People.
The next cycle of audits starts this year, and the diocese has been scheduled for a full audit in the fall of 2008. The audit covers all child protection procedures in place.
Sister Rita McGinnis, Chancery Services director, said that if the diocese is again found in compliance during the 2008 audit, the next audit would be in 2011.
The diocesan and parish procedures in place include training and screening of adult volunteers and employees, as well as training for the children and young people of the diocese, both in parish religious education programs and the Catholic schools.
“We are thankful for the sincere efforts of the people of our diocese – from pastors, principals, teachers, volunteers and parish and diocesan staff to parents – to work to provide safe environments for those in their formative years,” Sister McGinnis said.
More information about the diocese’s safe environment program can be found at www.diocesehelena.org/smp.

Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 18, 2008.