Key Policies – Child & Youth Protection

Archdiocese Charts New course to Combat Sexual Abuse of Children

BALTIMORE – Echoing the words of St. Francis de Sales to call the sexual abuse of children by clergy “the spiritual equivalent of murder,” today, Cardinal William H. Keeler announced that the Archdiocese of Baltimore is charting a new course in dealing with the crisis facing the Church – to protect children, to restore trust and to begin healing.

In a letter to the Archdiocese’s 180,000 registered families, Cardinal Keeler wrote:

“… The simple, painful truth is that the Church did not go far enough to protect children from sexual abuse. After much reflection and prayer – and following a thorough review of our records, going back decades – I have decided that we must be more open and transparent in our efforts to eradicate this evil within our Church. Therefore, we are making public an accounting of priests and religious men who have served in the Archdiocese and have been accused of child sexual abuse. We also are releasing an accounting of the funds expended as a result of this issue.” He continued: “…… Rather than shrinking from facing this scandal – which, too often, has allowed it to continue – we must address it with humble contribution, righteous anger and public outrage. Telling the truth cannot be wrong.”

“I pray our actions will:

Help provide survivors with the strength to come forward, knowing they are not alone and their Church values and believes them – so we may apologize and offer assistance.
Help protect children by rooting out and preventing this evil – making clear that the Church will not tolerate child sexual abuse, and shining a purifying and healing light where darkness has allowed abuse to continue.
Help remove suspicion from the priests who serve and guide our parishes and our people. They are the heart and soul of our Church, and we have no reason to believe that any among them has committed the crime of child sexual abuse.”

In his letter, the Cardinal apologized for the harm done to children, as well as for the failure of the Church to serve survivors of abuse. He also committed to specific actions to better protect children – following through on the August 29 STAND Convocation – and to better help the healing of those harmed while in the care of the Church.

Finally, Cardinal Keeler called on the Catholic Community to come together in response to the sexual abuse of children, citing the leadership in renewing the Church provided by survivors of abuse, clergy, and all men and women who live the Church’s mission of service to others:

“We bishops have a responsibility to recommit ourselves to loving and serving the faithful. I humbly ask forgiveness for my mistakes. Please pray for me so that I may better serve.”

“Now, is a pivotal time for our Church. Now is the time to answer scandal with service, rededicating ourselves to embody Christ on earth. We must come together, rather than turn away, in response to this terrible problem, restoring trust at every level within our Catholic community. I pray that from this pain the Church will emerge, purified and more holy. Now, please God, we must lead and we must serve.”

Notice of Privacy

The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to protecting the privacy of parishioners, employees and volunteers. This Notice of Privacy Principles contains information about how we may use and disclose personal information about you.

This Notice of Privacy Principles applies to personally identifiable information that is collected and/or maintained by Central Services of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, parishes, schools and other organizations that are subject under civil law to the administration, authority or governance of the Archbishop of Baltimore (collectively, the “Archdiocese”). For purposes of this Notice, such information is referred to as “Private Information.”

Safeguarding Private Information

Only authorized employees or agents of the Archdiocese who need access to Private Information in order to perform their job functions or other responsibilities will be given access to such information.

Reasonable physical, electronic and procedural safeguards will be used to protect Private Information from misuse, loss, theft, alteration, and unauthorized access or disclosure.

Private Information that is no longer needed (based on legal requirements and organizational record retention policies) will be destroyed by appropriate means that preserve confidentiality, such as shredding or incineration.

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Your Private Information may not be disclosed to third parties (persons not affiliated with or performing services for the Archdiocese) without your consent, except as may be required by law.

Private Information will never be sold, rented, or traded to third parties.

Some types of Private Information are subject to specific legal requirements (e.g., student records, medical records, consumer reports). The Archdiocese will comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, canon law, and Archdiocesan policies that govern the use and disclosure of Private Information.

Information received for the intended purpose of volunteer and employee screening will not be used for fund raising or development purposes.

Accountability

Archdiocesan employees or volunteers who intentionally misuse or disclose Private Information in violation of these Privacy Principles will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from employment or service.

Questions, concerns, or complaints about the treatment of Private Information may be addressed to the appropriate pastor, principal, or division director, or to:

Archdiocese of Baltimore
Division of Information Technology
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-547-5305
Fax: 410-332-8233
Email: it@archbalt.org