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Response to KPMG Assessment Dated 01.17.07
Diocese Responds to Attorney General Audit: Catholic Church in New Hampshire Confirms Sustainable Child Safety Efforts
On May 4, 2007, the NH Attorney General released a 42-page report by KPMG, a Massachusetts accounting firm, on its assessment of the Diocese of Manchester’s safe environment programs and policies. The report confirms that the Diocese of Manchester has complied with the letter and spirit of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, all articles of the Agreement with the State of New Hampshire, and the diocesan sexual misconduct policy.
Letter from Bishop McCormack to Attorney General Ayotte (05.04.07)
Letter from Attorney Brian Quirk to Attorney General Ayotte (05.04.07)
Summary of 2006 Action Plan and Deadline Completion
Summary of Safe Environment Risk-Based Review Plan
Parish and School Risk-Assessment Matrix
The Sustainability of the Diocese of Manchester Compliance Program
The Diocese of Manchester’s Sex Offender Registry Research
Response to KPMG Assessment dated January 17, 2007 - 06.01.07
Charter Addresses Sexual Abuse
The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was adopted by the U.S. bishops in November 2002. In June 2005, the U.S. bishops revised the Charter after consulting with all bishops and eparchs of the United States and with others who have an interest in the Charter or who have a particular expertise in one of the areas of the Charter (e.g., social workers, educators).
The Charter is a comprehensive framework for addressing the painful reality of the sexual abuse of minors in the Church. In the preamble, the bishops pledge to respond to the demands of the Charter in a way that manifests their accountability to the Lord, to the people of God, and to one another.
Diocese Achieves Total Charter Compliance
National
In September 2003, August 2004, November 2005, and December 2006, the Diocese of Manchester was audited for compliance with the Charter by investigators from a national firm retained by the Office of Child and Youth Protection of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Following the audits, the Diocese was found in compliance with the Charter. View the audit reports .
The national results for all 195 dioceses/eparchies in the United States have been published for review.
National Review Board's two studies on sexual abuse:
The Nature and Scope Report - John Jay College - February 2004
A Report on the Sexual Abuse Crisis - The National Review Board - February 2004
Diocesan
In 2005 and 2006, in accordance with the Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal Policy, the Diocesan Review Board conducted reviews of the Office for Ministerial Conduct to determine compliance with the Policy and with the Agreemenet with the State of New Hampshire. The Review Board found that the Diocese was in compliance with both the Policy and the Agreement. Both reports can be viewed below.
In 2007, the Office for Ministerial conduct issued a Special Report on the progress made by the Diocese of Manchester to ensure a safe environment in the Church. That report can also be viewed below.
Safe Environment Special Report - 2007
2006 Diocesan Review Board Audit Report - 02.23.07