MINT HILL — Amy Ankenbruck, faith formation coordinator at St. Luke Parish in Mint Hill, has conducted VIRTUS training for the past five years. The Catholic News Herald recently reached out to Ankenbruck to explain more about the VIRTUS program, which is also called “Protecting God’s Children,” and why she participates as a trainer:
CNH: What is the VIRTUS program, and why did you become an instructor?
Ankenbruck: The VIRTUS program helps to educate adults about preventing sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults, as well as proper reporting of suspected abuse. As the coordinator of faith formation at St. Luke’s, I felt that it was important to offer this class because I strongly feel that sexual abuse is something that can be prevented, and needs to be reported when it happens.
CNH: How have the training sessions you’ve conducted helped people become more aware of the problem of child abuse, and then be able to help prevent the problem from happening in our diocese?
Ankenbruck: In my training sessions, I see volunteers not only from St. Luke, but also from all over the Diocese of Charlotte. Within the training, volunteers first learn how predators work, and then they learn how to prevent abuse from happening, or how to recognize the signs that abuse has occurred.
The most important part of the training is helping people to feel comfortable reporting inappropriate behavior or abuse. If we know about inappropriate behavior but do nothing, the problem will never be solved.
CNH: What feedback have you heard from people after they finished the training – was it what they expected, and how did they find it useful to them?
Ankenbruck: The feedback from the training is great. Frankly, many people come to the training feeling that it is something that they are forced to do to serve in ministry, but leave saying that every adult should have this training, so you know there is a positive effect.
People share that they had many misconceptions about sexual predators such as they are always male (false), they are always homosexual (also false, as many are married and have children of their own), or that priestly celibacy leads to molestation. That is a false statement; people need to understand that predators are predators regardless of their vocation or career. A vow of celibacy will not change a person’s sexual orientation or preference.
I’ve also found that the training is useful because I see people applying this training not only in their church environment, but as parents or in their schools. Volunteers are looking for signs of abuse everywhere, and they are willing to report it. That kind of vigilance will make it very hard for predators to harm children and vulnerable adults anywhere.
CNH: What else would you want readers to know about the importance of the VIRTUS program in our diocese?
Ankenbruck: I would want readers to know that we can’t stand for a child being harmed in any situation, and the only way to stop it is through educating ourselves through programs like VIRTUS.
VIRTUS helps adults to see how to prevent abuse from ever happening, and see how to report misconduct or abuse when it happens.
For anyone who is upset over stories of abuse and misconduct, I urge them to be part of the solution by participating in VIRTUS training.
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor
51,829: The number of adults who have received Safe Environment training, called “Protecting God’s Children,” since 2002
60,892: The number of criminal background checks were processed by the diocese since 2002
$1,328,910: How much has been spent on Safe Environment programs and training in the diocese since 2004
330: The number of people trained as VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children“ facilitators since 2002
CHARLOTTE — Rick Menze has served on the Diocese of Charlotte Review Board since 2009, and been chairman since 2012. The Catholic News Herald reached out to him last August seeking his point of view in light of the recent news of sexual abuse and misconduct in the Church:
CNH: Why is it important to have a Review Board with laity and others involved?
Menze: The laity on the Review Board offer a different, fresh perspective to often very difficult and troubling situations. And the laity are less likely to be affected by the friendships and loyalties that can exist among a group bound fraternally as our religious are.
CNH: What considerations does the board keep in mind when responding to an allegation and when advising the bishop on a course of action?
Menze: In considering each case, our biggest considerations are sensitivity to the needs of those who are suffering and fairness to all involved.
CNH: How has your service impacted your faith?
Menze: After reading much of the Pennsylvania grand jury report, I am sickened by the abuse that is documented and my heart literally breaks for those abused.
Having interviewed many victims, seen the pain in their eyes and learned, firsthand, how abuse has impacted their lives, I have a different, more visceral sense of the consequences of abuse than most. So, over time, I have learned to compartmentalize the evil represented by abusive behavior.
Moreover, service on the Review Board reminds me of so much good in our Church and the overwhelming majority of religious who have dedicated their lives to our God and who are, I feel unfairly, deemed by some as guilty by association.
CNH: What else would you like readers to know about the process of responding to abuse allegations in our diocese?
Menze: Several things: Firstly, it is important to know that the Review Board in our diocese functions independently. In almost 10 years of service, I have not felt one ounce of pressure from the Chancery regarding the way an incident is reviewed or a recommendation is rendered. “Respecting the Review Board’s independence” is a part of almost every conversation with the Chancery. Secondly, we believe the incidence of abuse has been reduced in our diocese since the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ directives were issued in 2002. Likely, this is true nationwide as well.
And finally, in my opinion, more needs to be done throughout the Church. Interesting, bishops were specifically excluded from the oversight established by the 2002 USCCB directives.
And recent events tell me that there is a lack of hierarchical discipline which must be corrected and institutional arrogance which must be eradicated throughout the Church before healing can truly occur.
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor
Did you know?
The Lay Review Board is volunteer consultative body who confidentially advises the bishop. Currently at eight members, it is mostly comprised of laypeople (but they cannot be diocesan employees). It includes a priest and a lawyer (but not the diocesan attorney), and an expert on the issue of child sexual abuse, typically a psychological counselor. Members serve five-year terms, which can be renewed by the bishop. Their role is to review allegations of abuse and to make recommendations to the bishop.
Current members of the Diocese of Charlotte Review Board
Rick Menze — Chairman
Mark Foster
Kathleen Gunderman
Diane Hoefling
Rich Hoefling
Benne Hutson
Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio
Tom Touchstone
David Harold — Diocese of Charlotte Victim Assistance Coordinator (ex officio)
Father Patrick Winslow — Diocese of Charlotte Promoter of Justice (ex officio)