Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In June 2002 the Bishops of the United States adopted The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The principal purpose of the charter is to provide the maximum protection for children to which our people have an entitlement. To implement the Charter the Diocese of Allentown has taken numerous steps: 1. A Victim Assistance Coordinator was appointed to     ensure that those who have been abused or hurt will have an advocate. Our Diocese has reached out both pastorally and professionally, not only to victims but also to their families who can be devastated by these offenses. 2. A seven-person Diocesan Review Board was appointed to assist me in discharging my responsibilities involving the sexual abuse of minors by clerics. The Diocese is fortunate to have such highly qualified professional people as members of the Diocesan Review Board. 3. Criminal background checks and sexual abuse clearances have been conducted on thousands of clergy, lay personnel and volunteers of the Diocese and its parishes. 4. Thousands more adults and volunteers in the Diocese including priests, deacons, seminarians, diocesan employees, school principals and teachers have been trained on how to recognize child abuse if it's happened and more importantly on how to prevent it before it's happened in a program called "Protecting God's Children" 5. Separate safe environment programs have also been instituted for students in our schools and parish religious education programs and for their parents. No matter how fully our Diocese has complied with the Charter, there still remains a profound sorrow for the wounds inflicted upon some of our children and youth during the life of our Diocese. I hope you will find the information gathered here valuable to you as we all work together to protect the children and young people entrusted to our care. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen, D.D. Bishop of Allentown Post Office Box F  •  Allentown, PA  •  18105-1538 Copyright 2003 The Catholic Diocese of Allentown Disclaimer and Terms of Use