Child and Youth Protection

Since 2002, the Church in the United States has experienced a crisis without precedent in our times. The sexual abuse of children and young people by some deacons, priests, and bishops, and the ways in which these crimes and sins were addressed, have caused enormous pain, anger, and confusion. As bishops, we have acknowledged our mistakes and our roles in that suffering, and we apologize and take responsibility again for too often failing victims and the Catholic people in the past. From the depths of our hearts, we bishops express great sorrow and profound regret for what the Catholic people have endured.

Again, with this 2011 revision of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, we re-affirm our deep commitment to creating a safe environment within the Church for children and youth. We have listened to the profound pain and suffering of those victimized by sexual abuse and will continue to respond to their cries.  

What has the Catholic Church done to effectively respond to sexual abuse?

2012 Annual Report

The National Review Board and the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are pleased to announce the publication of the 2012 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

To view archived Annual Reports, please visit our Reports and Research.