Exhibit 473 · Episcopal charter and norms
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (revised June 2018; adopted June 2002)
Diocesan/eparchial policy is to provide that for even a single act of sexual abuse of a minor—whenever it occurred—which is admitted or established after an appropriate process in accord with canon law, the offending priest or deacon is to be permanently removed from ministry and, if warranted, dismissed from the clerical state.
Charter adopted by the U.S. bishops in Dallas in June 2002 and revised in 2005, 2011 and 2018. Articles require dioceses to have response procedures and a review board with a lay majority, bar confidentiality settlements unless the victim requests one, require reports to public authorities, and require permanent removal for a single admitted or established act. Text read is the 2018 revision. A June 2026 revision exists.
- Source
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Date
- June 2018 (original June 2002)
- Quoted from
- Article 5 (2018 revision), pp. 10-11
- Grade
- Primary record
- Document
- https://www.usccb.org/resources/Charter-for-the-Protection-of-Children-and-Young-People-2018-final(1).pdf
- Accessed
- 2026-11-09
- Cited by
- Findings citing this exhibit