KALAMAZOO, Mich. — With April being Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Diocese of Kalamazoo announced that a task force will be reviewing and updating all policies regarding the protection of children and youth.
A full and updated list is expected to be released this summer, Bishop Edward Lohse said that the task force will make sure all institutions in the Diocese follow the same policies and that they are "clear and enforceable."
The first major addition, a list of individuals who are prohibited from working with children, has been made public on their website.
"We are entrusted with the care of these kids, by their parents, by their families, also by God," said Bishop Lohse. "It is a sacred trust."
The list includes names of both former clergy members and non-clergy who the Diocese of Kalamazoo says have been credibly accused of actions that prohibit them from working with children.
The website states:
Disqualifying and prohibiting actions, if done by someone who at the time was employed or volunteering for any parish, school, agency, institution, or any other Catholic entity within the Diocese of Kalamazoo, include:
- continued violations of a child-protection policy after warnings,
- failing as a mandated reporter to report allegations of abuse of minors,
- failing to act to prevent abuse that they knew to be happening,
- furnishing pornography to minors,
- the possession/use of child pornography,
- physical abuse of minors,
- direct sexual abuse or sexual assault of minors.
The Diocese also says for someone to be named on the list, the allegations must be deemed credible in at least one of the following ways:
(1) secular legal proceedings,
(2) canon law proceedings,
(3) self-admission by the individual,
(4) evidence that meets the “clear and convincing” standard (defined as highly probable or reasonably certain).
"If the person is a member of the clergy, which would be a deacon or priests, they are forbidden to function publicly, in any capacity," said Bishop Lohse.
Lohse also said that non-clergy members will be barred from holding any position working with children or youth.
"I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of child abuse," said Bishop Lohse.
Lohse spent six years serving as the director of The Office for the Protection of Children and Youth in the Diocese of Erie in Pennsylvania, working closely with survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
"I heard their stories, I have listened to them describe their pain and things that never should have happened, but did, and I am committed to doing everything I can to make sure that that doesn't happen on my watch," said Lohse.
While the list only has authority within the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Bishop Lohse said the list can inform others around the country.
Available resources for survivors of childhood abuse include the Catholic Charities 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 800-873-8336.
The Diocese of Kalamazoo since 2003 has also been offering The Trauma Recovery Program free of charge and open to all people impacted by childhood abuse, which the Diocese says has served more than 600 people.
The Michigan Sexual Assault Hotline can also be found here, or at 1-855-864-2374
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