After an audit conducted Sept. 29-Oct. 2, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois has been found in full compliance with the church's national standards for child protection programs and the prevention of and response to sexual abuse.

Bishop George J. Lucas was informed of the diocese's compliance in an Oct. 18 letter from William A. Gavin of the Massachusetts-based Gavin Group, which conducts the audits on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office of Child and Youth Protection.

"The diocese as a whole continues to meet all compliance requirements of the bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People," said Patricia Kornfeld, director of the Office of Training and Human Resources for the diocese.

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2002 and approved by the Vatican, requires regular auditing of dioceses and eparchies. During an audit, dioceses must provide verification of safe environment training programs and of criminal history background checks for anyone involved with children and youth. The diocese must also provide documentation for safe environment training for students enrolled in Catholic schools and parish religious education programs.

The audit also ensures that dioceses have policies and procedures in place for responding to allegations of sexual abuse of a young person.

Beginning with the year July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, dioceses were required to undergo audits on a three-year rotation. The Springfield diocese volunteered to be audited on the first year of the rotation.

During the one-year audit period, parishes and schools in the Springfield diocese reported:

• 19,209 students enrolled in schools and parish religious education programs have received safe environment training, which is offered annually;

• All priests, deacons and candidates for ordination in the diocese have undergone training and background checks;

• 1,092 educators have received safe environment training and 1,097 have undergone background checks.

• 741 parish employees have received training and 737 were background checked;

• 5,554 volunteers in child-based programs received training and 5,554 have completed background checks.

Ninety-five safe environment training sessions for adults were conducted during the audit period, Kornfeld said. Since the program began in 2002, 19,300 persons involved in Catholic school and parish programs have completed approved safe environment training.

Auditors also visited five parishes in the diocese, to determine implementation of the safe environment requirements at the parish level. Parishes visited this year were: St. Jude, Rochester; St. Agnes, Springfield; St. Mary, Taylorville; St. Patrick, Pana; and Ss. Peter and Paul, Collinsville.

"Our pastors, administrators, priest moderators, parish life coordinators, principals, directors of religious education and coordinators of religious education and others assisting with the work of providing a safe environment are to be commended for their continuing efforts on behalf of protecting children from sexual abuse," said Kornfeld.

"However, we know we must remain vigilant," Kornfeld said. "We must continue to make every effort possible to make our churches, schools and other Catholic institutions safe places for our children and young people."

Kornfeld, who is the victim assistance coordinator for the diocese, said that anyone who has been abused can contact her confidentially by calling (217) 321-1155.