Praesidium

US PROVINCE OF MISSIONARY OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE EARNS HIGH HONORS IN ABUSE PREVENTION PRACTICES AND RESPONSE

US Missionary Oblates Rewarded with Praesidium Accreditation

Washington, DC,- The United States Province (USP) of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate has been awarded Praesidium Accreditation™ in a stellar report by Praesidium, the national leader in abuse risk management. The Oblates were found to be in compliance with the highest current national standards for protecting children, having acted upon the call for more accountability and transparency in how to protect the young.

In, 2008, the US Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate was confirmed by an independent team of specialists to meet or exceed all twenty-nine standards and thus accepted for accreditation by Praesidium Inc. in Dallas, Texas. Praesidium Accreditation™ confirms that an individual order or congregation has been found by an independent team of specialists to meet or exceed all standards for accreditation.  This accreditation was renewed in 2015.

In 2002, the Oblates of the USP initiated the accreditation process as a way to continue efforts by Congregation of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) member communities to protect children and the vulnerable, with whom such congregations necessarily minister. The Oblates were found to be in compliance with the highest current national standards for protecting children. They have acted upon the call to more accountability in how to protect children, handle allegations of sexual abuse, reach out to victims, and supervise members who have sexually abused.

The US Province is accredited for five years, and during this time will uphold fundamental values and stringent safety practices that demonstrate their commitment to protecting those they serve from abuse. Praesidium, the national leader in abuse risk management, confirms that an individual order or congregation has been found by an independent team of specialists to meet or exceed all standards for Accreditation. Experts reviewed all pertinent documentation, interviewed Oblates in leadership, or involved in any supervision of others, to ascertain whether members across the United States met the industry standards with regard to child protection.

The process incorporates the mandates of the Charter for the Protection of Children promulgated by the US Bishop’s Conference in June 2002. The accreditation requires that participating religious institutes submit practices regarding the supervision of those who have been credibly accused to outside scrutiny, along with formation procedures, written policies and procedures.

The standards for Accreditation are twenty-nine standards and the Oblates of the USP will continue to meet those in the acceptance and formation of new members to continue their vigilance in prevention. The USP met all standards for responding concerning the manner in which allegations are accepted, reported, and investigated and then standards for supervision mandate the continued supervision of those who have offended against others in the past.