IN “THE pope’s pro’’ (Op-ed, June 3), Joan Vennochi rightly describes Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s responses to clergy sexual abuse as a “push and pull between the old forces of secrecy and the new pressure for transparency.’’ In March 2009, the cardinal publicly stated that “in the very near future’’ the Archdiocese of Boston would revise its policy on “disclosing information about accused clergy and the status of cases against them.’’ Fifteen months later, despite urgings from child advocates and abuse victims, and the fact that two dozen other bishops have released this information, we in Boston still wait.
The cardinal’s new Vatican assignment to help Ireland address its clergy sex scandal should prompt him to resolve unfinished business in his own archdiocese. He must release now the names of all proven, admitted, or credibly accused archdiocesan priests, religious order priests and brothers, deacons, and nuns, whether living or deceased. Included must be the allegations against them, how many children were proven or alleged victims, the names of parishes and schools to which they were assigned, their current whereabouts, and any Vatican orders regarding their laicization or restrictions in their duties. The names of credibly accused people transferred here from Ireland and other countries must also be included.
We agree with the cardinal that “the church must be unfailingly vigilant in protecting children and young people.’’ Parents and guardians also want to be vigilant against the threat of child sexual abuse.
Jetta Bernier Executive director Massachusetts Citizens for Children Boston
Early Warning: Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters.
The new national 2010 KIDS COUNT Report focuses on how lack of reading proficiency by end of third grade jeopardizes America's economic and national security. Nationally, 68% of students at the end of Grade 3 in public schools scored below proficiency on the National Assessment of Educational Program (NAEP) reading test.
Massachusetts ranks best among all of U.S. states in the percentage of its students who by the end of 3rd Grade are proficient in reading on NAEP. However, Massachusetts' score belies two important facts: First, no state in the country achieved the standard set by NAEP, including Massachusetts. Second, while 44% of Massachusetts students met the national proficiency standard, 53% of the state's students did not. Therefore, despite the state's high national ranking, these scores are disappointing for all who see school success and high school graduation as beacons in the battle against intergenerational poverty.
Click Here to read the full 2010 Kids Count Report, Early Warning: Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters.
While Massachusetts has the 4th highest median family income in the country and many of its children thrive, it is also a state where many struggle. In its latest KIDS COUNT report, Child Poverty in Massachusetts: A Tale of Three Cities, MCC hones in on three cities where child poverty rates hover at 40%, well above the rates in Mississippi and Louisiana.
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Springfield, New Bedford and Lawrence comprise 19% or 32,000 of the 169,000 children who are poor in Massachusetts. The report outlines reasons poverty has persisted in these urban hubs and describes the historical dynamics that keep groups of immigrants, people of color, and single mothers persistently poor. The report highlights key programs in each city working to support children and their families. Finally, it describes emerging efforts in these communities to achieve child poverty reduction goals.
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child poverty in Massachusetts: a tale of two states
In its 2008, 60-page Kids Count report, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, MCC urges the Commonwealth to join with 16 other states that have established formal Child Poverty Reduction Initiatives, including Connecticut, Maine and Vermont and large states such as California, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota.
The report cites polling data showing strong bi-partisan support among voters for providing greater economic security to help lift children and families out of poverty.
Click here to view the report online. Click here to read the Press Release. Click here to read the reactions to this report
"Transforming Communities to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: A Primary Prevention Approach"
Read this Policy Briefdeveloped by a select group of national experts including MCC Executive Director Jetta Bernier and MCC Board member Diane Levin, Professor of Education at Wheelock College and author of "So Sexy, So Soon." Convened by the Ms. Foundation and The Prevention Institute, these advocates outlined policies, programs, and strategies they believe hold the greatest promise for transforming our communities to effectively prevent child sexual abuse and its devastating impact on our children, families and communities.
Child Poverty in Massachusetts: A Tale of Three Cities, was released at a Press Conference held at New Bedford City Hall. (March 26, 2010) Click to View
Massachusetts data
Press Release
