May 21, 2021 Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Vol. 52, No. 21 Bishop Brennan Releases Updated Guidelines May 14, 2021 Dear clergy, religious and lay Control (CDC) announced its up- Moreover, Governor Jim Justice if you’ve taken the Johnson & faithful of the Diocese of Wheel- dated guidelines which state that just announced early this after- Johnson vaccine, and if you are ing-Charleston, “fully vaccinated people can re- noon that the State of West Vir- two weeks out from the last dose.” As I mentioned in my pastoral sume activities without wearing a ginia will lift the face covering re- Moreover, the Governor noted that letter released yesterday (May 13, mask or physically distancing, ex- quirements for people who have the state’s mask mandate would 2021), developments regarding cept where required by federal, been fully vaccinated; the gover- still apply to those who are not ful- COVID-19 protocols continue to state, local, tribal or territorial nor stated very clearly: “This is for ly vaccinated until June 20. happen in a fast and furious laws, rules, and regulations, in- those [individuals] that are fully Given the CDC’s updated infor- manner. We learned later on Thurs- cluding local business and work- vaccinated, which means you have mation and the Governor’s lifting day that the Center for Disease place guidance.” had both of your shots, other than See “Guidelines” on Page 2 May Crownings Parishes and Schools Honor Our Lady This Month ifth-grader Elaina Delgra of Sacred Heart Grade FSchool in Charleston places a crown of flowers on the statue of Mary during the school’s May Crowning at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charles- ton May 14. Also participating in the May Crowning of Our Lady is Miles Bown, a fifth- grader at Sacred Heart. Par- ishes and Catholic schools ac- ross the diocese are holding May Crownings throughout May, the Month of Our Lady. Courtesy Photo Inside: Notre Dame High School’s Ben Long to Represent West Parishes Say Goodbye to Beloved Virginia in Poetry Out Loud National Finals, Page 3 Deacon Don Hammond, Page 4 2 The Catholic Spirit May 21, 2021 Guidelines ... To Report Suspected Cases of Sexual Abuse of Children Cont’d from Page 1 To Report Suspected Cases of Sexual Abuse of Children: The Diocese of the face covering mandate, the Diocese will immediately adjust its pro- of Wheeling-Charleston encourages reporting to civil authorities first and fore- most if a crime has been committed. We also encourage utilizing www.report tocols accordingly. For those individuals who are fully vaccinated as de- bishopabuse.org to make a report about any bishop in the U.S. If you have reason scribed above, you will no longer need to wear masks to attend liturgical to believe that a bishop has engaged in sexual misconduct or has interfered with celebrations, meetings or other functions within diocesan facilities an investigation into sexual misconduct, please contact civil authorities in the ap- (Catholic Charities West Virginia [CCWVa], hospitals or other health plicable jurisdiction and visit www.reportbishopabuse.org. care facilities may still require more stringent regulations). Moreover, the To Report to Civil Authorities: Contact your local law enforce- CDC’s guidelines also state that vaccinated people do not need to allow ment: numbers will vary based on your location. If you believe someone is in im- for physical distancing any longer. mediate danger, call 911. To confidentially report any incidence of suspect- ed Our parishes and institutions need to be accommodating to these var- child abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, contact the West Virginia Bureau ious scenarios and respect those who have been vaccinated and no longer for Children and Families’ Child Protective Services by calling the Child Abuse wish to wear a mask, those who have been vaccinated but have other con- Hotline at 800.352.6513. You may report anonymously to this hotline if you ditions that cause them to still want to wear a mask and observe some dis- prefer. tancing, and those who have not been vaccinated and must adhere to To Report to Diocesan Authorities: The diocese encourages report- ing “the honor system” and continue to wear a mask to protect themselves to the appropriate civil authorities first and foremost if a crime has been com- and others. I still urge all people who have not yet been vaccinated to co- mitted. The diocese also encourages reporting to the appropriate church au- operate for everyone’s good and to get fully vaccinated as soon as pos- thorities. To report suspected cases of sexual abuse of children by personnel of the sible. Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston to the Diocese, contact one of the following de- As of this writing, we have not received information from the Gover- signees at 1.888.434.6237 or 304.233.0880: Mr. Bryan Minor, ext. 263; Mr. Tim nor’s Office regarding his prior directive requiring churches to use only Bishop, ext. 353; or Very Rev. Dennis Schuelkens, Jr., V.E., ext. 270. You may also every other pew. The Diocese will continue to reach out to the Governor’s call the Diocese’s Office of Safe Environment at 304.230.1504. You may also call Office for further clarity on this matter; however, until we receive up- the Diocese’s sexual abuse hotline at 833.230.5656. Complaint forms are available dated information, I ask that our parishes continue to follow the current online at www.dwc.org, click “Diocese” on the menu bar, then “Offices,” then practice of only using every other pew – this will allow some distancing “Safe Environment”, then “Download Files and Forms.” The form is titled “Com- plaint Form for Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor.” The form may be returned for parishioners who may feel uncomfortable being in large gatherings via U.S. mail to: Office of Safe Environment, Diocese of Wheeling- Charleston, PO as well it will permit appropriate distancing options for those who are not Box 230, Wheeling WV 26003. fully vaccinated. We still want to do all that we can to ensure that all of To Report to the Diocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator: please call our people can feel comfortable and gather safely for Masses and other Dr. Patricia Bailey at 304.242.6988. events. In addition to the methods listed above for reporting sexual abuse, the Diocese I know that many are excited that this day has finally arrived and that, also has partnered with Navex Global to offer the EthicsPoint platform to report for those fully vaccinated, life may begin to return to some resemblance other, additional concerns, such as suspected financial, pro- fessional, and per- of pre-pandemic times. However, I still ask for everyone’s cooperation in sonal misconduct of a priest, deacon, religious, or lay em- ployee of the Diocese caring for one’s own health/safety and that of your neighbor’s as well – or any Catholic parish or school in West Virginia. The EthicsPoint platform can washing/sanitizing one’s hands on a regular basis is an easy way to help be accessed via www.dwc.org, under “Account- ability”, then “Report Miscon- prevent the spread of germs. Moreover, we are excited to welcome back duct” or by calling 844.723.8381. EthicsPoint is a third-party reporting system that all of our parishioners. For those who haven’t been attending Mass in per- reports to civil authorities where ap- plicable and Diocesan authorities, and the son, we have indeed missed you and our parish communities are not the identity of the person reporting is protected. same without you; we look forward to seeing you now and in the weeks Links and information: WV Department of Health and Human Re- sources: to come. Please pray for areas in our world where the pandemic rages on https://www.wvdhhr.org/report.asp. West Virginia State Police, Crimes Against and is still inflicting so much pain and suffering. Let us also commend Children Unit: 304-293-6400. those in the medical community who tirelessly offer themselves to care Sexual Abuse Awareness Training for the needs of others. Invoking the intercession of our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, I ask The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) requires that all Dioceses/Eparchies have in place a Safe Environment Program for the protection that God continue to bless all of you, your families and parishes and our of children and young people. In accordance with these requirements, the Diocese great Mountain State. of Wheeling-Charleston’s Safe Environment Program consists of the following Sincerely in Christ, components for persons seeking employment or to volunteer—directly or indi- rectly—with children: background check; receipt of the Diocese’s Policy Relating to Sexual Abuse of Children; and sexual abuse awareness training for adults. Sexual abuse awareness training may be completed online or via live workshop. For more information on the Office of Safe Environment,please go to www.dwc.org, click “Diocese”, then “Offices,” then “Office of Safe Environment.” +Mark E. Brennan Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston Office: 1322 Eoff St. Mailing: PO Box 230 Wheeling, WV 26003 (304) 232-0444 Fax: (304) 233-8551 Web site: www.thecatholicspiritwv.org Diocesan Web site: www.dwc.org May 21, 2021, Vol. 52, No. 21 Publisher: Bishop Mark E. Brennan................................................................................... Executive Editor: Colleen Rowan, Ext. 347 ............................ [email protected] Advertising: contact Colleen Rowan Freelance Writers: Martina Hart, John Sherwood, Babette Pascasio Member Catholic Press Association West Virginia Press Association National Press Photographers Association, Inc. Published 24 times per year. All issues sent to each registered Catholic household free of charge.