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Over the past 20 years, the number of abuse allegations against Catholic clergy has dropped, according to a new report from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). In November 2004, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) commissioned CARA conduct an annual survey of all of the dioceses and eparchies whose bishops are members of the USCCB.

Pope Francis often reminds Catholics of our role in caring for the vulnerable and persons living with a disability, confirming the Church's commitment to all members of the faith. He has specifically announced that the Church "must meet people's needs for belonging, relating to others and cultivating their spiritual lives so they experience the fullness and blessing of the Lord' for the 'unique and marvelous gift' that they are." Pope Francis described the Church's pledge to focus on inclusion as "each person, with his or her limitations and gifts, feels encouraged to do his or her part for the good of the entire ecclesial body and for the good of society as a whole." Pope Francis reminds us that "there can be no us and them, but a single us, with Jesus Christ at the center…" There are several Church documents that provide us with a greater understanding of how we are to help vulnerable adults in our pledge to include them in all facets of Church life, regardless of whether we encounter them in our specific ministries. These include the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (Charter), which specifically addresses how dioceses are to establish and maintain safe environments for children—and later included a revision involving vulnerable adults. Other documents include Vos Estis Lux Mundi and the updates to Canon Law. While we have these definitions and examples to guide us, we should personally consider how we recognize whether someone is a vulnerable adult, as they may not share certain characteristics or circumstances that demonstrate their potential vulnerability. And, we should further reflect on how we can be sensitive to those with disabilities or vulnerabilities while respecting their needs and abilities.

Children living with disabilities have long been recognized to be at higher risk for experiencing various forms of child maltreatment and other forms of victimization. Now, emerging research shows that specific types of disabilities are associated with different forms of maltreatment and victimization. We all share the aspiration to prevent child maltreatment and victimization among all children before any harm takes place. To aid us in this mission, we need to be aware of special vulnerabilities that place children living with disabilities at higher risk, so that we can increase the safety of all children within our care.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection has released the 2023 Annual Report – Findings and Recommendations on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The report is based on the audit findings of StoneBridge Business Partners, a specialty consulting firm headquartered in Rochester, New York, which provides forensic, internal, and compliance audit services to leading organizations nationwide. A survey conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) regarding allegations of abuse of minors and costs is also included as a part of the report.

Last September StoneBridge conducted an in-person audit and examined our work from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2023. The auditors looked at how well we were complying with the articles set forth in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. They also completed five on-site audits of parishes and schools around the diocese. The EIM Office prepared for over six months to complete this audit. We found proof of compliance with the charter for that three-year span and that evidence was then presented to the auditors. In the end, the Diocese of Austin was found to be compliant with the articles of the charter.