News from Mrs. Butler

Dear Elyria Catholic High School Community,

It is with much sadness and outrage that we learn of recent national reports of abuse to children by priest and clergy. 

Bishop Nelson Perez has made a statement, as has Pope Francis and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The leadership of Elyria Catholic High School wants to assure our community that we take this occasion to communicate with you very seriously.   Our school practices emphasize education and prevention.  All employees and volunteers are trained in recognition of the signs of abuse, and students are taught age-appropriate lessons in the curriculum. 

Our religion department, under the direction of Mr. Kevin Juguilon, Department Chair, has met and prepared responses to possible questions and concerns of our students.  If you would like more details on this please contact Mr. Juguilon;  [email protected]

All employees who minister in our school are mandated reporters who are bound by law to report signs of abuse through our administration as well as legal channels.

The coordinated efforts for the protection of children are articulated in the Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse. This policy originated in 1989 under Bishop Pilla, who directed its revision in 2003 to emphasize prevention and education along with a process for reviewing claims and ensuring transparency. It was last revised in December of 2016,

* Every employee and volunteer with children in the Diocese of Cleveland participates in an orientation and training to recognize the signs of sexual abuse. The “Protecting God’s Children   Program – VIRTUS” is a key component of initial training and includes ongoing continuing education (monthly bulletins).

* Background checks are performed on every employee, including priests, deacons, lay ecclesial ministers, as well as faculty, staff, and coaches, as well as all volunteers (anyone who works with children more than four (4) hours a month or who works with children more frequently than once a month).  The Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse also outlines the process by which allegations of abuse are handled.

We all need to be empathetic to those victimized by the breach of trust and physical abuse.  We need to be courageous for those who feel isolated as this has become their reality.  Let’s choose to be an active part of a solution, and display a hopeful attitude for our young men and women as it is for their faith development that we remain committed.

Continued prayers and hope~
Amy Butler ‘80
President


Resources:
Child protection policies for the Diocese of Cleveland are here: http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/childprotection/

Statements:
Statement from Cardinal DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) (August 17, 2018) http://usccb.org/news/2018/18-139.cfm

Statement from Bishop Perez (August 17, 2018) https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/pa-grand-jury-statement-2018-08-17/

Statement from Pope Francis (August 20, 2018) https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-francis-letter-people-of-god-sexual-abuse.html

Statement from Cardinal DiNardo, responding to Pope Francis’ letter (August 22, 2018) http://www.usccb.org/news/2018/18-141.cfm

Succinct summary from Bishop Perez’ August 17 letter:
“The Protecting God’s Children program, created in 2003, is a continuing effort to instruct and inform everyone about the protection of children from sexual abuse. The program structure includes an annual audit and monthly communications to our parishes. In addition the diocese has requirements in training for staff and volunteers, mandatory background checks as well as a Review Board that provides policy, procedure and transparent communication in matters such as these. To date over 153,794 of our diocesan staff and volunteers including; clergy, religious, ecclesial lay ministers, lay ministers, school administrators, staff, teachers, directors of religious education, catechists, coaches and volunteers have been VIRTUS trained to identify and report any potential acts