Safe Environment Program Update By Deacon Michael Straub
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n May of 2019 the Holy Father issued new norms, or standards, for the worldwide response to the evil of sexual abuse. These norms add to layers of response already in place in the United States including the Essential Norms and the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People which were established in 2002. The new norms affect the global Church and require: • easily accessible reporting systems, • clear standards for the pastoral support of victims and their families, • timeliness and thoroughness of investigations, • whistleblower protection for those making allegations • active involvement of the laity. Bishops also will be held accountable under the authority of this Motu Proprio, which covers sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable persons, sexual acts compelled through the abuse of authority, and any coverup of such crimes. The USCCB is establishing a reporting service for these issues dealing with bishops this year. As always the norms also require that Church institutions comply with civil reporting laws. Through these norms our diocese has been instrumental
in reaching out to help keep children and vulnerable adults safe from harm. Over the last 18 years the diocese has trained and background checked almost nine thousand individuals. Those who have been trained are all the employees at our offices, parishes, and schools. Also required to be trained are volunteers who would be around anyone under the age of 18. Since 2002 the norms have continually been reviewed and updated to help find better ways of keeping those subject to abuse safe. Some of the changes have been for example, adding vulnerable adults to protect from abuse, facing the issues of child pornography, renewing background checks every five years, and strengthening the educational requirements to keep employees and volunteers in compliance. Our Safe Environment Program will continue to evolve and remain active in our diocese. This is only possible because of those who have been trained and remain diligent in keeping children and vulnerable adults safe.
Welcoming the New Vicar General By John Mark Willcox
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ishop Malone named Fr. Matthew Long as Vicar General of the Diocese of Shreveport. Fr. Matthew T. Long is a native of Plain Dealing, Louisiana and has been an active priest in the Diocese of Shreveport for over a decade. Fr. Long was raised as Southern Baptist and become involved with the Catholic Church while at LSU Law School in Baton Rouge. His seminary formation and education was completed at St. Meinrad Seminary in southern Indiana. He was the first priest ordained by Bishop Michael Duca and has served as Chaplain to St. Frederick High School and completed parish assignments at Jesus the Good Shepherd in Monroe, and St. Joseph in Mansfield prior to becoming the current pastor of St. Joseph Church in Shreveport. Fr. Long will continue to serve in his role at St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport. A Vicar General is to be appointed in each diocese by the diocesan Bishop; he is to assist the diocesan Bishop in the governance of the entire diocese and is endowed with ordinary power according to the pertinent canons of the Code of Canon Law. He is to be a priest not less than 30 years of age, holding a doctorate or licentiate in canon law or in theology or at least truly expert in these disciplines, as well as being recommended by reason of his sound doctrine, integrity, prudence and experience in handling matters. The Vicar General must report to the diocesan Bishop on the principal matters which are to be treated and which have been treated, and he is never to act contrary to the Bishop’s will and mind. MAY 2020 19
