WASHINGTON—The National Review Board of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are inviting applications for
proposals to conduct annual audits of U.S. dioceses and eparchies to assess
compliance with the bishops Charter for
the Protection of Children and Young
People.

The annual audits would cover a three-year cycle
beginning July 1, 2019 through
June 30,2022.

The Charter, first approved by the USCCB in June 2002,
and revised and approved again in June 2005 and November 2011, the bishops of
the United States affirmed the Church’s commitment to effectively and
appropriately address cases of sexual abuse of minors by priests, deacons, and
other Church personnel and to reach out to victims of sexual abuse and their
families. The bishops also pledged to work with parents, civil authorities,
educators and various organizations in the community to create and maintain a
safe environment within the Church for all children and young people.

Article 8 of the Charter calls for appropriate audit
mechanisms to determine if dioceses and eparchies are complying with the
provisions of the Charter. Accordingly, annual audits have been conducted in each diocese and
eparchy since 2003 to assess compliance with the Charter and, where
necessary, to specify required actions that would bring the diocese/eparchy
into compliance with the Charter.
Summaries of the results of these audits have been included in the Annual
Report on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and
Young People.

Audits will be expected to assess not only the extent to which
dioceses and eparchies have established policies, procedures, and programs in
accord with the Charter, but also to review the administration of these
policies, procedures, and programs. Additionally, as guidelines and
measurements of effectiveness are developed over the next few years, they are
to be incorporated into future audits.

Timeline:

Deadline for Letter of
Intent to submit proposal: June
10, 2018.

Deadline for final
proposal: August 30, 2018

Interviews: Fall
2018

The Letter of Intent
must include background and relevant
information regarding the firm and articulation of relevant experience. The Application must include names and resumes of detailing relevant experience and proposed methodology as well as
a proposed budget.

Evaluation Criteria
There is no requirement
that the audits be conducted by Catholic individuals or institutions, but the
project director and the auditors should demonstrate an informed understanding
of the Catholic Church and diocesan/eparchial structures. Final selection of
the Auditor will be made by the Administrative Committee upon the
recommendation of the National Review Board in consultation with the Committee
on the Protection of Children and Young People and the Secretariat of Child and
Youth Protection.

Inquiries, letters of intent, and applications should be addressed
to:

Deacon Bernie Nojadera

Executive Director

Secretariat of Child and Youth
Protection

3211 Fourth Street, NE

Washington, DC 20017

bnojadera@usccb.org

(202)
541-5413

The complete request for proposals can be found at: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/upload/usccb-child-youth-protection-request-for-proposal-2020-2022.pdf.

The Charter for
the Protection of Children and Young People can be found at https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/charter.cfm

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Keywords:
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, National Review Board, Charter for
the Protection of Children and Young People, clergy sex abuse, request for
proposals, dioceses, eparchies, annual audit, safe environment, annual report.

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Media Contact:
Judy Keane
202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops