• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe

Archdiocese passes child protection audit for 2018

January 15, 2019
By Christopher Gunty
Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, Local News, News

Ellen M. Heller is a member of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Independent Review Board. (CR File)

The Archdiocese of Baltimore “has been found compliant with all audited Articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People for the 2017-18 audit period,” according to a letter to Archbishop William E. Lori from StoneBridge Business Partners, which conducts the audits on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The letter noted that the on-site audit included inquiry, observation and review of documents specifically requested from the archdiocese.

Ellen M. Heller, a retired judge who has been a member of the archdiocese’s Independent Review Board for 15 years, said she participated in the audit, answering questions from the auditors. She was asked if she had any suggestions as a member of the review board.

“I know they were quite serious,” she said of the auditors.

Although she said she was not aware of all the standards the audit seeks to review, she knows that the auditors speak to more than just members of the board and archdiocesan staff.

A member of the review board since 2004, shortly after the annual audits began, she said, “There has never been a result of the audit that indicated something that was not in compliance with the policy.”

Jerri Burkhardt is director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. (CR File)

Jerri Burkhardt, director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, said the audit “confirms that we are following the promises of the Charter.” In the Charter, each diocese promises to respond appropriately to allegations of abuse by reporting to the civil authorities, to hold the abusers accountable, and to protect children in the church’s care by properly screening and training employees and volunteers, she said.

In some years, the audit firm collects data from the archdiocese and in some years, such as the one just completed, the firm conducts on-site visits, including meetings with key archdiocesan personnel in child protection, clergy personnel, school personnel, the chancellor and others, including rectors of the two seminaries in the archdiocese, parish personnel and members of the review board.

At the meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore in November, Francesco Cesareo, chairman of the National Review Board that advises the bishops on child protection issues, discussed points of the NRB’s report to the bishops, which included suggestions to improve the effectiveness of the audit process.

Burkhardt said she is aware that some dioceses have been found in compliance but later concerns surfaced about those dioceses.

“When you have auditors visiting and they’re asking for records and they’re asking for backup documentation and they’re asking to speak with all the people that you interface with, it doesn’t feel like a really cozy relationship,” the director of Child and Youth Protection said.

Heller noted that in her capacity on another board that used a law firm for an audit process not related to child sexual abuse, the audit was always OK. “We found out everything wasn’t OK,” she said. “So, I think that it’s important to review every now and then the audit process.”

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Christopher Gunty

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Hunt Valley parishioner recalls her former student – a future pope

  • Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

  • Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

  • Loyola University Maryland graduate ordained Jesuit priest

  • Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith

| Latest Local News |

Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith

Lay associates journey with the Oblate Sisters of Providence

Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

Scopes Monkey Trial ignited century-long debate on evolution and belief 

Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

| Latest World News |

NBC’s Tom Llamas says Catholic education deepened his faith, pushed him to always do his best

Tolton ambassadors renew goal to promote, pray for famed Black priest’s canonization

Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack

Proof of life for kidnapped Nigerian priest received by Alaska diocese where he served

Filled with hope, Christians know cries of the innocent will be heard, pope says

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Tolton ambassadors renew goal to promote, pray for famed Black priest’s canonization
  • Creation, human and divine
  • NBC’s Tom Llamas says Catholic education deepened his faith, pushed him to always do his best
  • Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith
  • Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack
  • Proof of life for kidnapped Nigerian priest received by Alaska diocese where he served
  • Filled with hope, Christians know cries of the innocent will be heard, pope says
  • Pope calls for ceasefire, dialogue, peace after church hit in Gaza
  • School club gives students chance to benefit veterans, fosters Gospel value of serving others

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED