U.S. Magistrate Is New Head of Catholic Bishops' Review Board

Catholic News Service reported yesterday that a Dayton, Ohio federal Magistrate Judge has been appointed to a two year term as chairman of the U.S. Bishops' National Review Board. The Board is charged with overseeing the Bishops' compliance with the 2002 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The new chairman, Judge Michael R. Merz, has been a member of the Review Board since 2004. He says that the Board's priorities are completing an "causes and context" study that is underway, auditing current programs, and recommending a set of "best practices" to the Bishops.