WASHINGTON — In slightly more than three months, all Catholic dioceses in the United States must have in place blueprints to create "safe environment" programs to protect children from sexual abuse.
The nation's 194 dioceses have until June 20 to finalize their plans on how to protect children, educate parents and investigate church workers with access to children, including priests.
A comprehensive plan must be in place by the beginning of the 2003-04 school year, according to a directive from the Office of Child and Youth Protection, which was established in June by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
All church employees with access to children must sign a written code of conduct and undergo training about children and abuse, including how to prevent, detect, respond to and report suspected abuse.
