Schwietz appoints committee members
The Safe Environment Committee
The "Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth" was issued in 2002 by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in direct response to the problem of sexual abuse within the church. It directs each diocese to put in place a proactive effort to prevent molestation. In order to carry out the intent of the charter, Archbishop Roger Schwietz appointed a Safe Environment Committee. The members are:
• Kathy Bishop, experience in religious education and parish administration
• Helen Boedecker, retired kindergarten teacher
• Sister Charlotte Davenport, archdiocesan chancellor
• Kay O’Grady, physician, experience dealing with abuse issues
• Toni McDermott, retired Anchorage School District teacher and principal
• Robert McMorrow, youth minister
• Peter Zografos, archdiocesan director of Evangelization Office
Sister Barbara Scanlon is the Victim Assistance Coordinator. Her job is to help each victim receive what is needed in justice and pastoral care.
The archdiocese has partnered with STAR (Standing Together Against Rape) to provide staff training. STAR’s statewide experience working with prevention of sexual abuse provides invaluable expertise for us.
Archdiocesan staff training focuses on awareness, signs of abuse, characteristics of perpetrators and how to respond to abuse situations. The Office of Children’s Services and the Anchorage Police Department also work with STAR to explain their roles in child protection. All priests, deacons, parish administrators, youth ministers and directors of religious education are participating in the training.
More information on specific policies and activities to prevent child abuse in the church is available on the archdiocesan Web site www.archdioceseofanchorage.org. The Safe Environment Committee can be reached through e-mail at mail@caa-ak.org.