USCCB Charter for The Protection of Children and Young People –The Dallas Charter

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is a comprehensive set of procedures originally established by the USCCB in June 2002 for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Charter also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of future acts of abuse. It was revised in 2005, 2011, and 2018. The Charter directs action in all the following matters:

• Creating a safe environment for children and young people;
• Healing and reconciliation of victims and survivors;
• Making prompt and effective response to allegations;
• Cooperating with civil authorities;
• Disciplining offenders;

Providing for means of accountability for the future to ensure the problem continues to be effectively dealt with through the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and the National Review Board.

The full charter can be found here.

Reporting sexual misconduct by a bishop

Vos Estis Lux Mundi - You Are the Light of the World was released by the Holy See on May 7, 2019.  It is now Church law as determined by Pope Francis that sets “out procedures for investigating and judging cases of sexual abuse in the church and for holding responsible bishops, religious superiors and others in the case of covering up abuse.”

This provides a brief introduction to the policy.

The Pope issued a revision to the 2019 policy in March 2023, which can be found here.