The task force created by the Manchester Catholic Diocese to recommend new policies on sexual abuse issued its report today.
The 22 page report makes several recommendations to better prevent and investigate clergy sexual abuse.
But critics say the recommendations do not go far enough.
NHPR?s David Darman has more.
The Manchester Diocesan task force recommendations are clearly aimed at lay Catholics.
Many have been disturbed by revelations that several priests have sexually abused children.
Donna Sytek, chair of the task force, reassured those Catholics that the report addresses their concerns.
01 322 the focus is mainly on protecting children. We?ve provided a heavy emphasis on prevention, because that?s where we think it starts. 331
The report promises that the diocese will improve screening procedures for anyone who has contact with children.
And it requires those who know of sexual abuse cases to report them to a diocese review board.
Task force members say the procedures are designed to exceed the standards the diocese agreed to with the state attorney general in December.
Diane Murphy Quinlan, a spokesperson for Bishop John McCormack, says the Bishop approved the recommendations.
01 1350? he thought that it was important that we constantly review the effectiveness and operation of this policy. Because, as he said, this should not be a policy that gathers dust on the shelves. 01 1402 it should be a working document.
The report admits many lay Catholics are not confident the recommendations go far enough.
James Farrell of Somersworth says that?s because the bishop has violated his trust.
03 212 john mccormack has a long record, long career of protecting abusers. He cannot be the one that we expect and trust, to implement this policy or any other policy that is meant to protect children from abuse. 03 232
The bishop?s critics say he should resign.
But the bishop has said he will not step down.
That leaves some critics wondering how the bishop can be held accountable.
Task Force Chairman Donna Sytek says the bishop is accountable under church hierarchy.
01 1857 ?This is the only mechanism we have. We?re going to report you to your boss. In the case of the bishop, the boss is the pope. 01 1911
The task force expects to write policies based on their recommendations.
Those policies should be ready sometime in March.
