Nov. 13, 2019

By Darcy Fargo
Editor

OGDENSBURG – A recent data audit resulted in the Diocese of Ogdensburg being found with requirements of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Director of Safe Environment and Charter Compliance Coordinator John Morrison explained that the diocese was found compliant in a document audit conducted by StoneBridge Business Partners. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has a contract with StoneBridge to conduct such audits at dioceses across the nation.

“Every three years we have an on-site audit, and auditors interview staff, visit schools and parishes and review documentation,” Morrison said. “In the years in between, they audit our documentation.”

The documentation outlines diocesan compliance with requirements related to background checks, communication of policies and procedures, abuse prevention training, abuse reporting and other portions of the Charter.

“I think the fact that we’ve been found consistently to be in compliance (with the audited Charter requirements) shows we continue to be on the right track,” said Morrison. “There will always be work that needs to be done, but the diocese overall, our schools and our parishes are doing a great job in terms of their Safe Environment efforts.”

The audit letter, as well as Safe Environment policies and procedures, can be found at rcdony.org/safeenv