ORLANDO, Fla. -- The sex abuse reform programs approved by Roman Catholic leaders in June will add more than $600,000 to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' national program budget.
St. Petersburg Bishop Robert Lynch said the church's finance committee amended the 2002 budget at an August meeting in Washington, according to The Associated Press.
The money will cover costs associated with the church's national Review Board, including two research studies the board will commission and professional staff for a newly established Office for Child and Youth Protection.
No details were provided as to how the Church will cover the extra expense. Several dioceses have reported a fall in donations since the sexual abuse scandal became public in late 2001.
