Last month, from June 13-15, the bishops of the United States held their annual spring meeting, this time in Atlanta. As part of the gathering, there was a somber presentation. It was a reminder that this June marks the 10th anniversary of the meeting of the bishops in 2002 that responded to the explosive revelations in the press of abuse of young people by Catholic clergy.

Many of us can remember those very painful days in 2002. Each passing week brought new and disturbing stories about the crime and sin carried out on young people who had trusted Catholic clergy and had been in their care yet who ended up as victims of abuse. A mounting sense of anger, especially at bishops who had not taken the appropriate steps to deal with such abuse, was joined to a sense of shame that this could happen in our parishes and in the Church that we so love.

In response, the bishops adopted a common document that addressed this terrible tragedy. In that document, entitled the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” the bishops apologized to the faithful saying, “As bishops, we have acknowledged our mistakes and our roles in that suffering, and we apologize and take responsibility again for too often failing victims and the Catholic people in the past. From the depths of our hearts, we bishops express great sorrow and profound regret for what the Catholic people have endured.” As a new bishop, I wish to add my own voice to that apology to abuse victims, to the Catholic faithful and to our priests as well.

The presentation that the bishops heard reviewed the progress and challenges that can be detailed over the last 10 years. The presenter was Al J. Notzon III, the head of the National Review Board, a national consultative body of Catholics who advise the bishops on the healing and reconciliation of victims, matters of child and youth protection, and especially on policies and best practices to safeguard our young people.

In each diocese there is a local review board that similarly advises the bishop in matters relating to child safety. Our Diocesan Review Board consists of two retired members of law enforcement who investigate reports, and members of the community who specialize in the treatment and care of sexual abuse victims. Also on the review board are stay-at-home mothers, fathers and grandparents, respected pastors, small business owners, women religious, a school principal, and business men and women. Each of these members brings to the table a personal perspective and a commitment to ensure our diocese is a safe environment for all.

In the last 10 years, dioceses have taken numerous steps that we can be proud of to ensure the safety of our young people. Training to protect children and to raise awareness of the danger signs of abuse has been given to adults and children throughout the dioceses. Background checks of all clergy, employees and volunteers have become standard procedure. Each diocese has a designated “victim assistance coordinator” who responds to queries from and provides outreach to victims. And dioceses have pledged to report allegations of abuse to the law enforcement authorities. Any act of sexual abuse of a minor by a member of the clergy that is either admitted or established will result in permanent removal from the sacred ministry. Finally, each year, dioceses are audited and the results are made public, ensuring continued compliance with these protection policies.

The conclusion of the National Review Board chairman’s report was two-fold: “Ten years later, there has been striking improvement in the Church’s response to and treatment of victims. Children are safer now because of the creation of safe environments and action has been taken to permanently remove offenders from ministry.” But he noted, “(M)uch work still needs to be done.” We can be proud that since those dark days of 2002 we have done much as a Church and a diocese to move a long way toward protecting our children and caring for victim-survivors. Studies have shown that the vast majority of our priests are serving the Church well and honorably, and that the number of incidents of abuse declined dramatically beginning in the 1980s.

The Diocese of Rockford has a confidential hotline available to anyone to report abuse. That number is 815/962-9347.  Victims of abuse can make a call any time and leave a message. For children in our schools and religious education programs, the diocese offers regular safe environment training for each of the kindergarten through 12th-grade levels, which includes formation in Christian chastity.

In combatting this sin that has such devastating effects for young people and for the Church, we cannot rest, we cannot become complacent. Children and young people need to be as secure when they are in the care of the Church as they are when they are at home.  They need to find the love of Christ in both places. The Diocese of Rockford has worked and will continue working to make that a reality. For these 10 years, the Church has been committed to making sexual abuse a time in our history, from which we have learned strong lessons. We are committed to continuing to apply those lessons going forward.