Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference

Representing the Archdiocese of Hartford, Diocese of Bridgeport, Diocese of Norwich and the Ukranian Diocese of Stamford
Receive Our Action Alerts and Informational Bulletins 
The Connecticut Catholic Advocacy Network will keep you informed as state and national issues of interest unfold. Join the network and watch for our informative bulletins and action alerts.
                       
 

 Connecticut General

 Assembly
          
 
 
  
CURRENT 
INFORMATION
ON POLITICS
IN CONNECTICUT 
               
 
 
    CT Mirror        
 
  ----------------------------------------------
 
  
 
 Catholic School Parents
 
----------------------------------------------    
          DIOCESIAN WEBSITES
     
     
 
 
  
  
                
 
      
 
  
 
  

What has the Catholic Church done to effectively respond

to sexual abuse by church personnel?

The Catholic Church has done more to protect children than almost any other organization in the
United States. Consider:
 
Safe Environment training is taking place in 193 dioceses/eparchies of the country. Over 2 million adults have been
trained to recognize the behavior of offenders and what to do about it.

Over 5 million children have been equipped with the skills to help them protect themselves from abuse.

Background checks are conducted on Church personnel who have contact with children. Over 2 million volunteers
and employees; 52,000 clerics; 6,205 candidates for ordination have had their backgrounds evaluated.
 
All dioceses/eparchies have Codes of Conduct spelling out what is acceptable behavior. This serves to let people
know what can and cannot be done as well as letting others know what behavior can be expected. It encourages
the reporting of suspicious behavior.
All dioceses/eparchies have Victim Assistance Coordinators, assuring victims that they will be heard. In 2009,
$6,536,109 was spent on therapy for the victims of clergy sexual abuse.
 
All dioceses/eparchies have Safe Environment Coordinators who assure the ongoing compliance to the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
 
Bishops are meeting with victims.
 
Dioceses/eparchies have Healing Masses, retreats for victim/survivors and other reconciliation events.
 
There is a Zero Tolerance policy on abusers since 2002. When even a single act of sexual abuse by a priest or
deacon is admitted or is established after an appropriate process in accord with canon law, the offending priest
or deacon will be removed permanently from ecclesiastical ministry, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state,
if the case so warrants (CIC, c. 1395 §2; CCEO, c. 1453 §1).
 
Dioceses/eparchies require intensive background screening as well as psychological testing for those wishing to
enter the seminary.
 
The Catholic Church has worked hard to protect children. Much has been done but more needs to be
done. Until child sexual abuse is no longer a part of society, the Church will continue its efforts to
stop it.
 
 
The 2012 Session of the Connecticut General Assembly
 will begin on February 8, 2012,
ending on May 9, 2012
 
 
Watch our website for information on legislation of interest to the Catholic community.
Join our Catholic Advocacy Network to receive timely and informative bulletins.
            
-----------------------------------------------
       
       
CatholicTV is a 24/7 television network
that broadcasts local and national religious programming and live events for the
Catholic church in America.
 
--------------------------------------------------
 
CONNECTICUT CATHOLIC PRESS 
 
 
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------
 
 
    
 
 
--------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
 
 
  

Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference | 134 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105| (860) 524-7882