BishopAccountability.org
	Local Diocese Passes Audit By Bryan Russell brussell@sastandardtimes.com San Angelo Standard-Times [Texas] March 31, 2006 http://www.sanangelostandardtimes.com/sast/news_local/ article/0,1897,SAST_4956_4585173,00.html A 2006 report by the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops found the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo to be in full compliance with the church's Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. More than 190 dioceses and eparchies in the United States were audited between July and December of 2005 to ensure compliance with the charter. The charter was drafted in 2002, when allegations of sexual abuse by clergy began surfacing around the country. "I very pleased with the report that came out on our diocese," said the Most Rev. Michael Pfeifer of the San Angelo diocese. "I think we're on the right track. The message we want to give is that we have a deep concern and care for the children. They're the most precious gift God has given us. "I've worked hours on this issue," he continued. "It's like taking on a whole new job, but it's an effort to show parents we're doing our best to make a safe environment for our children." Since the charter went into effect, the San Angelo diocese has implemented background checks and conducted ethics workshops for more than 5,000 diocesan clergy, employees and volunteers. The diocese also has conducted safe-environment workshops in each of its 29 West Texas counties, which serve a combined 13,000 children. The San Angelo diocese has received high marks since the Office of Child and Youth Protection, a department of the Conference of Catholic Bishops, began compliance audits in 2003, but the diocese has two court cases pending against it that involve sex-abuse allegations prior to 2003. The bishop said the audit "is a way of checking to see if we're being responsible and living by the highest standards." "Many mistakes were made, but many good things have been done by hard work and the grace of God," Pfeifer said. The Most Rev. William S. Skylstad, president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops, said though the majority of American dioceses have put forth great effort to address the problem of sexual abuse in the church, much work still needs to be done. "It is clear the church is moving forward and that we will continue to move forward," he said in a press release. "The strong (audit) results will not, however, be cause to rest. We will continue in our efforts to protect all children in our care and to reach out to those who have been harmed."
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