Diocese moves forward with 'A Plan to Protect'

On Sept. 14, 2018, Bishop Paul J. Bradley announced the release of “A Plan to Protect” for the Diocese of Kalamazoo, calling for expanded measures within the Church to safeguard all its people. In addition to the expanded plan of action, Bishop Bradley celebrated three Masses of reparation and healing around the diocese in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and St. Joseph. After each of those Masses, Bishop Bradley hosted a pastoral discussion, fielding questions and comments from participants.

The 10-point Plan to Protect calls for continued prayers and pastoral resources for all victims of abuse, along with the establishment of a Consultative Lay Body of Experts to advise on policy and procedure with regard to situations of abuse within the Church and her organizations. Additional plans include  the creation and implementation of a “Code of Conduct” for all clergy  and employees of the Church and additional listening sessions held throughout the diocese in the coming weeks.

In releasing his plan, Bishop Bradley affirmed the importance  of prayer, while also calling for additional steps to “ensure that those entrusted to our  pastoral care always enjoy personal safety and complete freedom from sexual abuse. May this Plan to Protect be a part of God’s plan for his Church, at this particular point in time, here in the Diocese of Kalamazoo, because, as we know, ‘with God all things are possible.’”
 

1. To remain steadfast  in our sup- port for and solidarity with survi- vors of abuse, constantly striving to improve our pastoral care for vic- tims and their families.
2. To evaluate and refine all of the  safe environment programs and practices already in place, and to employ further measures to ensure that the mandate of full compliance on the part of all clergy, lay leaders, and Church personnel is achieved.
3. To review and expand avenues of reporting for those who have been victimized, so that they can come forward without hesitation or fear to share their experience of sexual abuse, in order that we can offer a just and caring response to victims and ensure no perpetrators remain in ministry or leadership.
4. To  hold   listening   sessions   with the bishop in the context of Masses and Holy Hours of reparation, in the various regions and apostolates of the diocese.
5. To establish a Consultative Lay Body of Experts to advise on policy and procedure with regard to situ- ations of abuse within the Church and her organizations.
6. To create and require a Code of Conduct for all clergy and lay lead- ers within the Church.
7. After consultation with the inde- pendent Diocesan Review Board, to release the names of those priests for whom sexual abuse of minors has been substantiated.
8. To continue to provide trans- parency and cooperation with civil authorities and to seek further col- laboration in dealing with any inci- dences of abuse within the Church. Continue to turn over all credible claims to civil authorities for inves- tigation and appropriate prosecu- tion, if warranted.
9. To make priests’ files accessible, once again, for review by the independent Diocesan Review Board, which is composed of professional lay people and offers direction on the proper handling of cases of abuse.
10. To do  whatever   further   steps it takes to eradicate sexual abuse within the Church.