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Clergy Classes

Waterbury, Vermont - May 31, 2005

The sex abuse scandal that rocked the Catholic Church led to new rules for priests and all other clergy across Vermont. Any person who performs official duties for a church or religious body, must report cases of abuse to the state. Now the Vermont Department for Children and Families is training clergy on how it all works.

Classes were held inside the Vermont State Colleges building in Waterbury. The students -- clergy members.

"We want to help the families in our congregation and children," said one Minister.

The group learned about a law affecting each of them regardless of faith. Under Vermont's Child Abuse Reporting Law, all clergy became mandatory reporters.

The group joins health care workers, school professionals, childcare providers, social workers, law enforcement, and people who work at camps on the list of those who must report cases of abuse or neglect.

"They're another group that works with children," said Margaret Davis, a special investigator for the Department for Children and Families. "The process would be, if clergy finds out about child abuse, they must report it within 24 hours."

The challenge churches and other religious bodies face -- confidentiality.

"We will have to educate the public," said Eleanor Calabrese of the Burlington Catholic Diocese.

No longer can clergy keep secrets when it comes to abuse. If reports of physical, mental, or sexual abuse are revealed. It must be reported. Exceptions can only be made if they fall under four strict rules, including the violation of religious law, like Catholic confessionals.

"The state has been sensitive to Cannon Law and confession," said Calabrese. "Because of the history going on, the more we can have our children be safe the better it will be for everyone."

There are no numbers to indicate how well the new law is working, but state officials say it can only help. Some religious groups are scrapping the exception rules altogether and will report any and all cases of abuse within the 24 hour deadline.

The Department of Children and Families will hold another training session for the clergy on June 15th in St. Johnsbury.

Darren Perron - Channel 3 News