Four new members named to National Review Board

The National Review Board, the all-lay group that monitors dioceses' performance in dealing with sexually abusive clergy and creating a safe environment for children throughout the church, has four new members.

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, announced the appointments June 10.

The new members are:

— Vivian M. Akel, a retired clinical social worker; she volunteers as safe environment coordinator for the Maronite Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, New York.

— James Bogner, retired senior executive special agent for the FBI; he also serves on the Archdiocesan Advisory Review Board and Ministerial Conducts Board for the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska.

— Steven Jubera, assistant district attorney for Mississippi's 17th Judicial District; he also serves on the Review Board for the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi.

— Thomas M. Mengler, president of St. Mary's University in San Antonio; he previously served on the board of directors of Catholic Charities of San Antonio and was co-chairman of the Lay Commission on Clergy Sexual Abuse of Minors in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

Gomez wrote in a letter to the new members that the National Review Board "plays a vital role as a consultative body assisting the bishops in ensuring the complete implementation and accountability of the 'Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.'"

He also reminded the new members that the entire church, especially the laity, "needs to be engaged in maintaining safe environments in the church for children and young people."

The U.S. bishops established the National Review Board in 2002 as part of the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People," which was developed in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. Board members advise the bishops' Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People in its response to clergy sexual abuse of minors.