“If the policies and programs to protect children from sexual abuse you have adopted are to achieve their full purpose, they need to be placed in a wider context. Children have a right to be educated in authentic moral values rooted in the dignity of the human person. We need to reassess urgently the values underpinning society so that a sound moral formation can be offered to young people and adults alike. Every member of society can contribute to this moral renewal and benefit from it. Truly caring about young people and the future of our civilization means recognizing our responsibility to promote and live by the authentic moral values which alone enable the human person to flourish.”
Pope Benedict XVI to Catholic Bishops of the United States on April 16, 2008 regarding the issue of the clergy sexual-abuse scandal.
Because of the serious concerns regarding the sex education/safe environment programs in the Archdiocese of Portland I sent Cathy Shannon, the Child Protection Director an email. This was almost a month ago and these programs are being implemented. Our common quest to protect the innocence and souls of children of the Archdiocese of Portland might have fallen on deaf ears.
While praying and waiting for a response I do believe, that the Superintendent of School, Robert Mizia is the next step. In the interim there are on going training sessions for adults. I am sending part of the letter from Rome indicating that this Archdiocese has a parental opt out policy for children, just to remind the facilitators of this fact.
Below is a copy of the letter I sent Cathy Shannon and the letter to those contact people responsible for the meetings. All policies regarding our children should be offered, as well as a mention of the opt-out policy on the Archdiocesan web page.
Archdiocese of Portland chlid policies - Child Protection web page.
********************************
Dear Cathy,
Since you are getting started with your new school year and the child protection programs, I was wondering if you would please consider adding "Healthy Families, Safe Children" as an option to your list. Go to Healthy Families/Safe Children for clips and an overview. According to the "Charter", each diocese can choose and develop their own list as long as it is in compliance with the Charter. This is a wonderful option.
This series would educate parents in how to have healthy families and thus keep their children safe..as the title of the program states. Thus, the Archdiocese would be central in the Church's mission to help the family in their role, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The folks that put this together are in Oregon: Bishop Robert Vasa, Dr. Lee Harrington, Dr. Lynn Bissonnett-Pitre to name a few. This shows how Oregon does care about her children.
And finally, it's a truly Catholic option. The other programs that are on the list are simply modified for "religious" organizations. They also are suspect in their foundations and content as being Catholic-friendly and Archbishop Vlazny has agreed that parents can opt-put of these existing programs.
Since the Archbishop has given an opt-out option, would you please include this in your website and let those giving the workshops this information? This happened in March and it has still not been "advertised".
Thanks for all you do and for your kind consideration to these requests.
Carolyn Wendell
503-769-4767
***************************************************
EMAIL RECENTLY SENT TO FACILITATORS ON
"CALLED TO PROTECT" PROGRAM SCHEDULE ATTACHED
Dear Facilitator for the Safe Environment Program,
Thank you for caring for the children of the Archdiocese of Portland. However, there are many parents in Oregon who feel that these particular "safe environment" programs do not conform with the directives of our Church to actually protect the innocence of children and ensure parental control. This is a nationwide problem.
Vatican on Parents and Children
Catechism of the Catholic Church - The Fourth Commandment - Life in Christ
2229 As those first responsible for the education of their children, parents have the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions. This right is fundamental. As far as possible parents have the duty of choosing schools that will best help them in their task as Christian educators.38 Public authorities have the duty of guaranteeing this parental right and of ensuring the concrete conditions for its exercise.
To help parents and their concerns, the Archdiocese has a parental "Opt-Out" provision. This was confirmed in a February 2009 letter from Rome to a concerned parent. Since there is no mention of this opt-out provision on the Archdiocesan Child Protection web page http://www.archdpdx.org/cpo/ or even in its March 2009 press release it seems necessary to make sure that you, the facilitators, are aware of the policy to be in compliance with the Archdiocese and Rome. Here is a portion of the letter. The entire letter is available if needed .
“It would appear that parents are able to seek an exemption from the Safe Touch programs offered in Catholic Schools within the Archdiocese of Portland on their own behalf and on behalf of their children, and that this is the policy of the Archdiocese.”
Archbishop Mauro Piacenza – Titular Archbishop of Vittoriana,
Secretary for Congregation of the Clergy.
Again, thank you for your dedication to the children of Oregon.
God Bless you,
Carolyn Wendell
503-769-4767
********************************************************************************
PEOPLE I CONACTED ABOUT THIS.....
Called to Protect Program Schedule Please check out the CYO web site link for additional training dates
Date Time Program Location Contact Person Contact Information
Sep 8 3:30 & 6:30 PM Parents and Ministries Queen of Peace School Debilyn Janota 503-362-3443
4227 Lone Oak Rd. SE. school@queenofpeacesalem.org
Salem, OR 97302
Sep 10 4:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. Agatha School Sarah Lutz 503-234-5500
Must RSVP 7960 SE 15th Ave. sarah.lutz@stagatha.us
School Library Portland, OR 97202
Sep 12 12:00 PM Parents and Ministers St. Alice Church Jason Roebuck 541-747-7041
1520 F St. jroebuck@archdpdx.org
Springfield, OR 97477
Sep 12 10:00 AM Parents and Ministries St. John the Baptist School Dana Day 503-654-0200
Video: School Library 10956 SE 25th Ave. ddaysjb@msn.com
Milwaukie, OR 97222
Sep 12 6:30 PM Parents and Ministries Holy Trinity School Melissa Core 503-644-5748
Fireside Room 13755 SW Walker Rd.
Beaverton, OR 07005
Sep 13 11:00 AM Parents and Ministries Queen of Peace Church Tricia Boyle 503-364-7202
4170 Pullman Ave. SE. Lana@queenofpeacesalem.org
Salem, OR 97302
Sep 13 1:00 PM Parents and Ministries Ascension Catholic Church Sharon Grigar 503-256-3897
Must RSVP 7507 SE Yamhill St. sharon-ascension@qwestoffice.net
Conference Room Portland, OR 97215
Sep 15 6:30 PM Parents and Ministries St. John the Baptist School Dana Day 503-654-0200
Video: School Library 10956 SE 25th Ave. ddaysjb@msn.com
Milwaukie, OR 97222
Sep 16 4:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. Agatha School Sarah Lutz 503-234-5500
Must RSVP 7960 SE 15th Ave. sarah.lutz@stagatha.us
School Library Portland, OR 97202
Sep 16 6:30 PM Parents and Ministries St. John the Apostle Parish Mike Adams 503-742-8201
Parish Center 417 Washington St. sjamikeadams@aol.com
Oregon City, OR 97045
Sep. 16 7:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. Paul Church Mary Ann Lamb 541-686-2345
1201 Satre St.
Eugene, OR 97401
Sep 16 6:30 PM Parents and Ministries The Madeleine School/Parish Barbara Stanton 503-288-9197
Parish Hall 3123 NE 24th Ave.
Portland OR 97212
Sep 16 8:00 PM Parents and Ministries Queen of Peace School Dabilyn Janota 503-362-3443
4227 Lone Oak Rd. SE. school@queenofpeacesalem.org
Salem, OR 97302
Sep. 17 9:00 AM Parents and Ministries Pastoral Center Ceil Fessler 503-233-8391
This class is in Spanish 2838 E. Burnside St. Sr. Guadalupe Medina cfessler@archdpdx.org
Room 8 Portland, OR 97214
Sep 17 6:30 PM Parents and Ministries Our Lady of the Mountain Evelyn Tucker 541-482-1146
This class is bilingual 987 Hillview Dr.
Parish Hall Ashland, OR 97520
Sep 19 11:30 AM Parents and Ministries St. Juan Diego Parish Bridget Becker 503-644-1617
St. Pius X Community Center 1280 NW Saltzman Rd. bbecker@stjuandiego.org
Portland, OR 97229
Sep 20 12:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. Andrew Catholic Church April Sandoval 503-281-4429
St. Andrew Nativity School 806 NE Alberta St. asandoval@archdpdx.org
Portland, OR 97211
Sep 21 6:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. James Church Engracia Arellano 503-472-5232
This class is in Spanish 1145 NE First St.
Fireside Room McMinnville, OR 97128
Sep 22 6:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. Agatha School Sarah Lutz 503-234-5500
Must RSVP 7960 SE 15th Ave. sarah.lutx@stagatha.us
School Library Portland, OR 97202
Sep 22 6:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. James Church Sandra Van Bergen 503-472-5232
This Class is in English 1145 NE First St.
Fireside Room McMinnville, OR 97128
Sep 23 6:30 PM Parents and Ministries St. Andrew Catholic Church April Sandoval 503-281-4429
St. Andrew Nativity School 806 NE Alberta St. asandoval@archdpdx.org
Portland, OR 97211
Sep 23 7:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. Paul Church Mary Ann Lamb 541-686-2345
1201 Satre St.
Eugene, OR 97401
Sep. 24 2:00 PM Parents and Ministries Pastoral Center Ceil Fessler 503-233-8391
Room 4 2838 E. Burnside St. cfessler@archdpdx.org
Portland, OR 97214
Sep 30 1:30 PM Parents and Ministries St. John Fisher Merrit Holub 503-452-8570
Parish Center 7007 SW 46th Ave.
Portland, OR 97219
Sep 30 6:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. John Fisher Merrit Holub 503-452-8570
Parish Center 7007 SW 46th Ave.
Portland, OR 97219
Sep 30 6:30 PM Parents and Ministries La Salle College Prep. Mary Neil 503-496-1761
School Library 11999 SE Fuller Rd. mneil@lshigh.org
Milwaukie, OR 97222
Oct 6 6:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. Luke School Emily Humm 503-981-7441
529 Harrison St.
Woodburn, OR 97071
Oct 6 6:30 PM Parents and Ministries The Madeleine School/Parish Barbara Stanton 503-288-9197
3123 NE 24th Ave.
Portland, OR 97212
Oct 12 10:00 AM Parents and Ministries Pastoral Center Ceil Fessler 503-233-8391
Room 4 2838 E. Burnside St. cfessler@archdpdx.org
Portland, OR 97214
Oct 13 8:15 AM Parents and Ministries St. AnthonySchool School Office 503-639-4179
Video - Cafeteria 12645 SW Pacific Hwy.
Tigard, OR 97223
Oct 13 5:30 PM Parents and Ministries St. Anthony School School Office 503-639-4179
Video - Library 12645 SW Pacific Hwy
Tigard, OR 97223
Oct 22 4:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. Agatha School Sarah Lutz 503-234-5500
Must RSVP 7960 SE 15th Ave. sara.lutz@stagatha.us
School Library Portland, OR 97202
Oct 27-28 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Train the Trainer Ceil Fessler 503-233-8391
cfessler@archdpdx.org
Eugene, OR
Nov 1 9:15 AM English Parents Ascension Catholic Church Sharon Grigar 503-256-3897
Must RSVP 7507 SE Yamhill St. sharon-ascension@qwestoffice.net
Conference Room Portland, OR 97215
Nov 10 8:15 AM Parents and Ministries St. Anthony School School Office 503-639-4179
Video - Cafeteria 12645 SW Pacific Hwy
Tigard, OR 97223
Nov 10 5:30 PM Parents and Ministries St. Anthony School School Office 503-639-4179
Video - Library 12645 SW Pacific Hwy.
Tigard, OR 97223
Nov 10 2:30 PM Parents and Ministries Pastoral Center Ceil Fessler 503-233-8391
Room 4 2838 E. Burnside St. cfessler@archdpdx.org
Portland, OR 97214
Dec 4 10:00 AM Parents and Ministries Pastoral Center Ceil Fessler 503-233-8391
Room 4 2838 E. Burnside St. cfessler@archdpdx.org
Portland, OR 97214
Dec 15 4:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. Agatha School Sarah Lutz 503-234-5500
Must RSVP 7960 SE 15th Ave. sarah.lutz@stagatha.us
School Library Portland, OR 97202
Jan 7 6:30 PM Parents and Ministries The Madeleine School/Parish Susan Steele 503-288-9197
3123 NE 24th Ave.
Portland, OR 97212
Jan 17 9:45 AM Parents & Ministries Queen of Peace Church Tricia Boyle 503-364-7202
4170 Pullman Ave. SE. Lana@queenofpeacesalem.org
Salem, OR 97302
Feb 2 6:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. Agatha School Sarah Lutz 503-234-5500
MUST RSVP 7960 SE 15th Ave. sarah.lutz@stagatha.us
School Library Portland, OR 97202
Apr 6 4:00 PM Parents and Ministries St. Agatha School Sarah Lutz 503-234-5500
Must RSVP 7960 SE 15th Ave. sarah.lutz@stagatha.us
School Library Portland, OR 97202
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