Northern Nevada diocese to review child sex abuse reporting

Catholic Bishop Randolph R. Calvo, whose diocese covers Northern Nevada, is going to take a new look at how child sex abuse by the clergy is reported to law enforcement.

In a message to his parishioners Sunday, the bishop said there are present policies for reporting sexual abuse of a child to police. But after reading the grand jury report in Pennsylvania, he wants to “review our commitment as a diocese to safeguard all minors and vulnerable adults in our churches.”

The grand jury in Pennsylvania found there were cover-ups by church officials in scores of cases involving priests and their sex with children.

Calvo said there is presently in place a system in the diocese for reporting abuse to law enforcement, background checks for any adult working with children and ongoing training to prevent abuse.

“Now I want a full review of all our protocols, practices and policies to determine how effective they have been and how to improve our commitment,” he said in a notice to all churches.

Calvo said he was “filled with deep shame and disgust” about injuries suffered by children in Pennsylvania.

The bishop said he wants a full review of the accountability of those in charge, including himself. And he wants recommendations on how to improve to prevent the problems in the other state.

The Diocesan Review Board, composed of men and women “of diverse expertise,” will lead the review and issue a report which will be made public.

The grand jury in Pennsylvania said 301 priests were involved and there were more than 1,000 victims during the last 70 years. It found the cover up reached clear to the Vatican.