Dear Monsignor/Father,
CONFIDENTIAL: ADVANCE NOTICE OF REPORT BEING RELEASED ON FRIDAY, FEB. 3.
The attached report from Bishop McManus, WHICH WILL BE MADE PUBLIC TOMORROW, is an update of the report issued by Bishop Emeritus Daniel P. Reilly in 2004. It will be posted online on the diocesan website, available on the catholicfreepress.org and will also appear on your eCatholic website if you use the diocesan news module on your site.
In order to have the opportunity to share this comprehensive report with our parishioners, we ask that you send the attached document on or after Friday, Feb. 3 in a Flocknote to all your parishioners as well as consider making printed copies available in the Church. It will also be printed in this weekend's Catholic Free Press.
Talking points for you:
- This report is from the Bishop, not from you. As parishioners come to you with questions, do not feel that you need to explain the report. Consider stressing that you are also reading and reflecting on the content and that, given that this is an update of an earlier report, transparency about the issue is important.
- Encourage them to read the report themselves. It is presented in a clear manner. Ask them to not rely on just the critics who regularly are cited in media stories. Form their own opinion.
- One fact stands out in the report. We have had one credible allegation of abuse of a minor since the late 1990s. The vast majority of credible allegations are from the 1970s and 1980s, consistent with our 2004 report and all national studies. While Bishop McManus makes it clear that not even one instance of abuse is acceptable, it is encouraging to see that awareness of the issue and the many procedures adopted since the 2002 Dallas Charter are effective.
- Protecting youngsters will continue to be of utmost importance and we will continue to improve on our policies and procedures to keep children and young people safe.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at rdelisle@worcesterdiocese.org or 508-929-4313. PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL, since a response would stay on Flocknote and I may not see it in a timely manner.
Thank you.
Ray Delisle
