Introducing Dr. Patricia Ewers to Archbishop Bruskewitz

Dr. Patricia O’Donnell Ewers, Chairperson of the National Review Board of the USCCB, accepted an invitation from VOTF of SW Florida (Naples) to participate in an open forum with Catholics and others concerned about the compliance of the U.S. Bishops with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. (We will recap this April 4 gathering in the April 20 Vineyard.) Earlier in the week, CatholicWorldNews.com quoted a statement released by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of the Lincoln, Nebraska diocese:

“Some woman named Patricia O'Donnell Ewers, who is the Chair of something called ‘A National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People," has said that her Board ‘calls for strong fraternal correction of the Diocese of Lincoln.’ The Diocese of Lincoln has nothing to be corrected for, since the Diocese of Lincoln is and has always been in full compliance with all laws of the Catholic Church and with all civil laws. Furthermore, Ewers and her Board have no authority in the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Lincoln does not recognize them as having any significance.”

Bishop Bruskewitz is a member of the USCCB, which created the National Review Board. Dr. Ewers is its current chair. The Lincoln, Nebraska diocese failed in the USCCB-mandate that calls for audits on every US diocese for their compliance with the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The reason for the failure is that the Lincoln, Nebraska diocese refused to participate and simply does not recognize the NRB. So who is protecting children in the Catholic schools, churches and rectories of Lincoln?