report for the bishops prepared by Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. Almost 6 million children, or 96% of children in Catholic schools or religious education programs, received "safe environment" training. The training is required under the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, reforms adopted by bishops in 2002 at the height of the scandal. Two dioceses — the dioceses of Baker, Ore., and Fresno, Calif. — were not compliant by year's end with the provision requiring the training and documentation of it, the report said. "The number of children now equipped with the skills to protect themselves more effectively continues to grow," Chicago Cardinal Francis George, president of the bishops conference, wrote in a memo accompanying the report. "The Charter is causing a cultural change in the U.S. Catholic Church, one I hope will permeate all areas of society." George added that bishops need to continue to reach out to victims of child sexual abuse. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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