Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article referred to the Diocese of Columbus’ newspaper, “the Catholic Times,” as “the Catholic Standard.“
CV NEWS FEED // The Diocese of Columbus, Ohio has updated and tightened its standards of conduct for addressing abuse allegations, reporting, and preventing sexual abuse.
According to the Catholic Times, the diocese published the original standards of conduct in 2002, and were modified again in 2016. This year, the diocese issued a new update in line with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The updates are in the 112-page Diocese of Columbus Safe Environment Manual. According to the Times, the policies
establish norms of appropriate clerical and lay conduct toward minors and the vulnerable and apply to all priests, deacons and members of religious orders in the diocese, as well as teachers in diocesan schools, parish and school employees, persons in positions of lay ministry and anyone else in a person of trust who is involved with minors and the vulnerable, such as school and parish volunteers.
Director of the Diocesan Office of Safe Environment Regina Quinn explained that the updates were made after “hours of discussion and work” determining what needed to change.
“It is encouraged that anyone in a position of ministerial authority, including volunteers, familiarize themselves with the manual,” Quinn told the Times.
The Catholic Church requires all clergy, diocesan volunteers, and staff to undergo background checks, educational videos and training in line with diocesan guidelines. For more information about the Columbus Safe Environment Training, click here.
