The prelates approved the revision at their meeting earlier this month. It updates the charter approved last June, in the wake of news reports about priestly sex-abuse scandals.
The text, which accompanies and encompasses the «Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons,» may be found at www.nccbuscc.org/bishops/charter.htm.
It is also available in a print edition, which may be ordered by telephoning (800) 235-8722 and asking for publication number 5-540.