Last week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released the 2012 annual audit (full text) on diocesan compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. A May 9 Release from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops summarizes the findings of the annual report. The audit showed full Charter compliance by all but four dioceses. The accompanying survey of abuse allegations lodged in 2012 showed 363 new allegations relating to abuse taking place in past years and 34 allegations of abuse of minors occurring in 2012. Of the 34 allegations of recent abuse, six were found to be credible and 15 are still under investigation. The allegations of past and current abuse were from 390 people against 313 priests or deacons. 84% of the victims were male. About half were between 10 and 14 when the abuse began.17% were between 15 and 17. 19% were under the age of 10 when the abuse started. As it has done in the past, the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska refused to be audited for Charter compliance or to respond to the survey. 3 Eastern rite eparchies also refused to be audited.
Dioceses, eparchies and religious orders spent $148.3 million in 2012 for settlements, attorneys fees, therapy for victims and support for offenders. Another $26.5 million was spent on child protection programs.
