Pope Issues New Norms on Mandatory Abuse Reporting
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“The Allentown Diocese in the Year of Our Lord” VOL. 31, NO. 10 MAY 16, 2019 Pope Issues New Norms on Mandatory Abuse Reporting, Bishop Accountability VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Fran- governance and protecting those entrusted cis has revised and clarified norms and to their care. procedures for holding bishops and reli- For this reason, the new document es- gious superiors accountable in protecting tablishes a clearer set of universal proce- minors, as well as in protecting members dures for reporting suspected abuse, carry- of religious orders and seminarians from ing out initial investigations and protecting abuse. victims and whistleblowers. The new juridical instrument is meant The new document, given “motu pro- to help bishops and religious leaders prio,” on the pope’s own initiative, was around the world clearly understand their titled “Vos estis lux mundi” (“You are the duties and church law, underlining how light of the world”), based on a verse from they are ultimately responsible for proper the Gospel of St. Matthew (5:14). “The crimes of sexual abuse offend Our Lord, cause physi- cal, psychological and spiritual damage to the victims and harm the community of the faith- ful,” the pope said in the document, released by the Vatican May 9. Pope Francis prays in front of a candle in memory of victims of sexual abuse The norms go into ef- as he visits St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin Aug. 25, 2018. (CNS photo/Paul fect June 1. Haring) To stop all forms of abuse from ever hap- hearts” necessary, there must be “concrete Congregation for Bishops, said the new pening again, not only and effective actions that involve everyone norms ascribe a new role to heads of dio- is “a continuous and in the church,” he wrote. profound conversion of Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Please see ABUSE page 27 }} Bishop Schlert to Ordain Transitional Deacon May 18 By TAMI QUIGLEY conate. He truly has a theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in be done by, first of all, recognizing that Staff writer servant-leader’s heart, Emmitsburg, Maryland. God is the one who knows how much help which characterizes “I hope to receive from God the grace of I will need and what I can accomplish with “Truly I must acknowledge at this mo- our Lord’s call to ser- his help. These words his grace. ment in my life that what God has worked vice, most especially may sound easy, but “This is because in me has not been what I would have in the ordained min- the reality of asking “I thank God for all the angels only God knows expected, but this is because God’s plans istry of the deacon. I for the grace of God’s better than we do for me are greater than I could ever have know he will bring a help is not something that the Lord has placed on our family history, imagined,” said Juan Eduardo Rodriguez, great deal of joy and that is always easy this path of discernment and our experiences who will soon be serving the Diocese of zeal to his ministry to do. After all, we, vocational training.” and a thousand Allentown as a transitional deacon. and his assignment,” as humans, want to other variables that Bishop Alfred Schlert will administer said Father Christo- be self-sufficient, but “Doy gracias a Dios por to- contribute to the the Sacrament of Ordination by ordaining pher Butera, Diocesan we are called to be unique picture of Rodriguez a transitional deacon during the director of seminar- humble and recognize dos los ángeles que el Señor our dependence on Rite of Ordination to the Diaconate Satur- ian formation and ad- that we are not really ha puesto en este camino de the divine.” day, May 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral ministrator of Sacred Rodriguez capable of doing any- discernimiento y formación Rodriguez, of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Heart, Bath. thing on our own. vocacional.” 46, was born and As a transitional deacon, Rodriguez will “The timing of God “We all need the raised in the Do- share God’s word, bring Viaticum to the is perfect, and with the help of God’s grace, grace of God’s help to minican Republic. dying, celebrate funerals, assist with and I will be ordained a transitional deacon of live our particular vocations to God. After graduating from Liceo Nocturno Los bless marriages, baptize, instruct people in the Catholic Church for the Diocese of Al- “Asking for God’s help is something Alcarrizos High School, Santo Domingo in the faith and perform works of charity. lentown,” said Rodriguez, who is of Do- that must be affirmed with courage every 1992, he graduated as a graphic designer “The Diocese is very happy and proud minican origin. “I have recently finished, day and learned every day, especially in to be ordaining Juan Eduardo to the Dia- with the grace of God, my third year of my case as a transitional deacon. This can Please see DEACON page 3 }} Families Invited to Vocations IN THIS ISSUE Holy Hour for 3 Priest Candidates Because We Are Catholic 2 Quo Vadis, Fiat Camps 3 Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert invites fam- Confirmation Schedule 7 ilies in the Diocese of Allentown to a Vocations We Are Remembered 9 Holy Hour Friday, May 31 at 7 p.m. at the Cathe- YA Commissioners 13 dral of St. Catharine of Siena, 1825 W. Turner St., Allentown – in prayer for the transitional deacons Alpha for Teens 14 to be ordained to the priesthood the next day, Sat- St. John Neumann Relics 15 urday, June 1 – and a Diocesan Act of Consecra- Catholic Daughters 16 tion to the Blessed Mother. Servants to All 17 Details on page 4. 2 THE A.D. TIMES DIOCESE MAY 16, 2019 “The Allentown Diocese in the Year of Our Lord” Because We Are Catholic As part of the Catholic Press, The A.D. Times is the official newspaper Lay Advisory Board Oversees Spending for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, serving Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill of Bishop’s Annual Appeal Donations counties. By PAUL WIRTH Published biweekly or triweekly Diocesan Communications Staff on Thursdays by Allentown Catholic Communications, Inc. As a member of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Trust at P.O. Box F Advisory Board, Marian Carty of Palmerton helps en- Allentown, PA 18105-1538 sure that every dollar donated to the appeal is spent ap- Phone: 610-871-5200, Ext. 2264 propriately. Fax: 610-439-7694 “The Bishop’s Annual Appeal plays a key role in the E-mail: [email protected] Diocese of Allentown,” says Carty. “The appeal enables us to care for every member of our community, in all five President counties of the Diocese, which we do ‘Because We Are Bishop Alfred Schlert Catholic.’” The Trust Advisory Board, a group of mostly lay peo- Secretary for External Affairs ple from across the Diocese, meets regularly to recom- Matt Kerr mend how the money should be spent, and to monitor that spending. Editor Recently, people have asked if Bishop’s Annual Ap- Jill Caravan peal donations would be used to pay the costs of the cler- gy abuse crisis or to pay settlements for victims. Staff Writers “No dollars from the appeal are used for any abuse- Tara Connolly related expenses,” says Carty. Tami Quigley “The Bishop’s Annual Appeal is operated with trans- parency and accountability. The faithful can be assured Design & Production that their gift is always allocated to the specific charities, Marcus Schneck educational uses and ministries for which it is intended.” Advertising Contact Lori Anderson “Because We Are Catholic” tells the stories of how the people of the Diocese of Allentown Administrative Assistant Cheryl Dano make a difference in the lives of others, bringing the Light of Christ to each other DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN and to our community. MISSION STATEMENT Videos of people in the series are available on the A Roman Catholic Family of Faith, Diocesan website at centered in the Holy Eucharist, faithful to the Church’s teaching, bringing the www.allentowndiocese.org/bishop-blog. Light of Christ to each other and to our community. POLICY STATEMENTS The A.D. Times will consider all editorial Upcoming Issues of The A.D. Times copy and photos submitted in a fair and ob- jective manner. The newspaper reserves the Publication Date Advertising Deadline News Deadline right to reject or edit any submission. May 30 May 20 May 23 Any advertising copy accepted does not June 20 June 10 June 13 necessarily reflect the views, opinions or en- 1 July 1 July 1 July 4 dorsement of The A.D. Times and/or its pub- lisher. The A.D. Times reserves the right to Aug. 1 July 22 July 25 reject any advertising copy submitted. Aug. 22 Aug. 12 Aug. 15 Sept. 12 Sept. 2 Sept. 5 DEADLINES Oct. 3 Sept. 23 Sept. 26 Advertising copy must be received by Oct. 17 Oct. 7 Oct. 10 Monday of the week before publication. News copy must be received by Thursday Oct. 31 Oct. 21 Oct. 24 of the week before publication. Nov. 14 Nov. 4 Nov. 7 Nov. 28 Nov. 18 Nov. 21 MEMBERSHIPS Dec. 19 Dec. 9 Dec. 12 Catholic Press Association, Rockville Centre, N.Y. Catholic News Service, VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR Washington, D.C. The Diocese of Allentown provides assistance to anyone who, as a minor, was sexually abused by a priest, Catholic Press Association deacon or employee/volunteer of the Diocese/Parish Award Winner Parents, guardians, children and survivors of sexual abuse are invited and encouraged to contact the Diocese 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, of Allentown for more information about this program.