The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People mandates a Diocesan Review Board to provide regular advise to the diocesan bishop “in his assessment of allegations of sexual abuse of minors and in his determination of a cleric’s suitability for ministry,” among other duties.
A Review Board for the Diocese of Oakland has been in existence since 1993. Its purpose is to assist the Bishop of the diocese in reviewing and handling cases of alleged sexual abuse against persons acting in the name of the Church. In earlier years the Board was called the Sensitive Issues Committee. The Board is responsible for investigating allegations of clergy sexual abuse, assessing the allegation and making recommendations to the Bishop regarding the alleged offender. In 2003 the Sensitive Issues Committee was renamed the Diocesan Review Board. It operates as a consultative body to the Bishop.
The purpose of the Diocesan Review Board is to assist the Bishop of the Diocese in reviewing and handling cases of alleged sexual abuse against clergy and other persons acting in the name of the church.
The members of the Diocesan Review Board are appointed by the Bishop to a five-year term once renewable. The Bishop may remove a member of the Board but must state a serious reason for this action.
The Diocesan Review Board shall conduct its business at meetings. These meetings shall be scheduled to occur monthly or as often as necessary in order to perform its duties.
The Bishop shall designate one Board member as Chairperson and one Board member as Vice Chairperson for a one-year term.