Bulletin for Feb. 3

Dear friends in Christ,

I have written this bulletin letter well in advance of its publication due to being out of the office this past week when it went to print, so my apologies. As I mentioned in last week’s bulletin, on Thursday, Jan. 31 of this past week, the list of names of credibly accused priests was released by the dioceses of Texas, including our own Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. It is my intention to address the matter at Mass this weekend and in the coming weeks, but since I’m writing this before the fact and haven’t seen the list, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it specifically. But permit me to share a few general points.

First, I think it is helpful to review the policy of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on Safe Environment in our churches and school. This applies to us at CtR and in every institution in the Archdiocese. It is as follows:

“The Archdiocese strives to implement policies, procedures, and training that may help protect the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults who are enrolled in our parish schools, religious education classes, and other programs. Priests, deacons, clergy, employees, and volunteers are called at all times to engage in Christ-centered and professional behavior. The background screening and Safe Environment training of all priests, deacons, clergy, employees, and volunteers is a requirement of the Archdiocese and assists in upholding our Safe Environment Policies.

“Abuse of children is immoral and reprehensible and will not be tolerated by the Archdiocese. The law requires that anyone who has cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect must report his or her suspicions to the Texas Department of Human Services or a local state law enforcement agency. When Archdiocesan personnel are involved in child abuse, the Archdiocese’s ability to carry out its mission is undermined.

“All Archdiocesan personnel must comply with applicable laws regarding incidents of actual or suspected child abuse including abuse involving child on child conduct. Failure to report suspected physical or mental abuse or neglect of a child in Texas is a crime punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. Permission to make a report is not required or expected. Err on the side of making a good faith report rather than failing to do so. Use the following link to access the Office of Child and Youth Protection reporting requirements: www.archgh.org/ocyp.

“Education is a key element of the Safe Environment program. All clergy, employees, contracted school personnel, and volunteers over the age of 18, who work in any capacity with or around children, the elderly, and adults with special needs are required to complete the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Training. A criminal background check must be submitted and reviewed before they may begin employment or volunteer at schools or with ministries, groups, movements, and organizations. In addition, the mandatory renewal training must be completed every five years and a new background check submitted. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Safe Environment compliance training and renewal training is a condition of employment and for volunteer ministry in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.”

That’s the written policy and we follow it in every instance. What does it look like practically? As it says, permission is not required to make a report. If you suspect a child is in a vulnerable situation, report it immediately to the state or law enforcement. Everyone who wishes to volunteer in any ministry at CtR that works in and around children is required to attend training sessions in creating an awareness of Safe Environment. Formerly this was known as VIRTUS training (the trademarked name of the specific training program). At the end of 2018, the Archdiocese switched from VIRTUS to a new program called CMG Connect, administered by Catholic Mutual Group. It’s an analogous program to the one previously in use but CMG Connect is a great upgrade in that it has a extensive online component that allows users to access current material on a regular basis. VIRTUS was limited in that capacity and so the switch is a good one for us all.

All of our volunteers whose ministry intersects with young people must complete this training. There are no exceptions to this rule. We have a database of hundreds and hundreds of volunteers who have completed the program and I am grateful for those who have done so. Those of you who have previously completed VIRTUS training are asked to go to https://galvestonhouston.cmgconnect.org to create a new account. All of your previous training reports have been updated on the new site. It’s quick and easy to do so please take care of it promptly.

In particular I want to thank Tim Herbert of our parish who, upon completing the program as volunteer several years ago, underwent additional training so that he could be a facilitator of the program for others. Tim trained hundreds of volunteers these past several years not only for us at CtR but from nearly every parish in the Archdiocese. Thank you, Tim, for your commitment to training our volunteers in our safe environment policy. Likewise Vilma Garza of our staff coordinates and tracks our database to make sure we are in compliance on our campus. It’s yeoman work and she is on top of it all. Thanks, Vilma.

Again, as I mentioned last week, the release of these names of clergy dating back to 1950 is a sad, but necessary step for us as an Archdiocese. Though it is heartbreaking for us all, it is nothing compared to the pain of those who have suffered such violence against their person. They are the ones who need our prayers, support, and accompaniment as they seek to find healing and hope. We pray as well for Cardinal DiNardo, all bishops, and ministers that they may undertake bold and decisive action to rid the Church of this scourge. Though the Church has made great strides in protecting the most vulnerable during the past 15 years, it can and must do better. We can be proud of our efforts, but we must not be satisfied and thus work to ensure that such history never repeats itself.

This Wednesday, Feb. 6, I invite you to join me following our regularly scheduled Mass for a Holy Hour of Prayer and Reparation in front of the Blessed Sacrament as we unite our hearts with all who have suffered abuse and beg God for a renewed spirit in the Church. Mass is at 7 p.m. as usual, but we’ll hold it in the main church (not the chapel), and then the Holy Hour will begin afterward at approximately 7:30 p.m. We’ll conclude with Benediction at 8:30 p.m. May God’s mercy be upon us and give us hope.

Peace, Fr. Sean