BOSTON (MA)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By THEO EMERY
Associated Press Writer
BOSTON (AP)–The Boston archdiocese released final rules aimed at protecting children from clergy sexual abuse on Friday, capping a yearlong effort to prevent the kind of misconduct by priests that has embroiled the archdiocese in scandal.
“I wish to personally commit myself to the full implementation and the carrying out of these policies for the protection of the children of our diocese,” said Bishop Richard Lennon, the interim head of the archdiocese.
Some rules immediately drew criticism, including one limiting the time church documents on abusive priests can be kept.
The policy, which replaces rules put in place in 1993, was the result of consultation among the archdiocese and sexual abuse experts, abuse victims, law enforcement and experts in church law.
