Milwaukee social worker to chair bishops' National Review Board

By Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) – The former director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has been appointed to chair the bishops' National Review Board by Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Diane Knight, a social worker from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, will succeed Judge Michael Merz as head of the USCCB's National Review Board at the conclusion of his term, following the bishops' spring meeting in June.

Cardinal George made the announcement Jan. 8 and said Knight's dedication to the mission of the Catholic Church and her experience in the protection of children and young people made her a prime candidate for the post.

The USCCB established the National Review Board in 2002 as a consultative body that reviews the annual report of the Office of Child and Youth Protection on the implementation of the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" and the recommendations that emerge from it. The National Review Board then offers its assessment to the president of the USCCB.

The board also offers its advice in cooperation with the Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People, especially with regard to policies and practices related to child and youth protection, as well as reviewing the work of the Office of Child and Youth Protection.

Knight, a member of the National Review Board since 2007, spent the first 20 years of her career in social work directly involved in child protection and related services for Milwaukee County.

She currently serves on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Community Advisory Board, which, along with the Archdiocesan Review Board, advises the Milwaukee archbishop on child and youth protection and victim outreach. She also serves on the Milwaukee Area Review Board, which advises orders of Catholic religious priests and brothers on child and youth protection.

Knight, who earned a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, also served on the Code of Ethics Task Force of Catholic Charities USA.

Her appointment to the National Review Board reflects the continuation of the dedicated efforts undertaken by the bishops to create a safe environment within the church for children and youths, and to care for and reach out to victims of sexual abuse and their families, Cardinal George said.

"We bishops are dedicated to the continued implementation of the charter and the application of the 'Essential Norms' as the guidelines for our response to the grave sin and crime of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy," he said. "The collaboration and support of the NRB has been a critical source of advice and assistance in that undertaking."

The National Review Board flourished under the direction of Merz, Cardinal George said, adding that he expects that trend will continue when Knight takes the helm.

"The last several years have witnessed great strides in the efforts of the Catholic Church in the United States to strengthen and renew her efforts for the protection of young people and healing for victims," he said.

Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Rapid City, S.D., chairman of the Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People, said he welcomed the news of Knight's appointment.

"I look forward to working with Ms. Knight," he said, "and all of the members of the NRB in our goal of helping the bishops foster a safe environment for children and outreach to victims."