LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln’s Catholic Diocese will participate in the next sex abuse audit conducted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, ending its reign as the only diocese in the nation not to take part over the past 13 years.

Bishop James Conley announced his decision to participate in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People annual audit of the 195 U.S. dioceses and eparchies in a recent column for the Lincoln diocese newspaper.

The annual audit began in 2002 in response to increasing allegations of longtime sexual abuse of children by clergy and possible cover-ups of abuse. The Lincoln Diocese took part in the audit that first year, but has declined to participate ever since.