Portland - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland is in full compliance with nationally mandated child-protection policies for a seventh consecutive year.

The church each year undergoes an audit to ensure it's complying with standards implemented in 2002 amid the clergy abuse scandal.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that year adopted the Dallas Charter, which contains mandates on how the church works with sexual abuse victims, responds to allegations of abuse and protects children in the future.

An outside company each year audits the Catholic dioceses around the country to assess their compliance with the policy.

Bishop Richard Malone said the Maine diocese's background checks and training ensure a safer environment for children, and that the church continues to make sure safeguards remain in place to prevent future abuse.

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