DIOCESE OF BOISE PROCEDURES FOR COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE AND MISCONDUCT

The Diocese of Boise is committed to disseminating timely information about issues of sexual misconduct within the church in an open, truthful and straightforward manner. The Diocese will involve the community and the media in its efforts to prevent child abuse, protect children, prevent sexual misconduct, support families and parish communities, and inform the public about these important issues.

While respecting the privacy of involved individuals, the Diocese will communicate with, and deal as openly as possible with, all members of the community regarding allegations of child abuse and other sexual misconduct issues. “All members of the community” includes victims/survivors, the accused, families of both victims/survivors and the accused, affected faith communities, the general Catholic community, members of the media and the general public.

A. Public Awareness of Child Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Issues

The Diocese of Boise Office of Communications will provide quality information to the public regarding issues relating to child abuse, sexual misconduct and how the Catholic Church in Idaho is proactively addressing these issues. The Office of Communications will publicize the Diocese’s sexual misconduct policies, including the Diocese’s standards of conduct, to those who work in the Church. The Office of Communications will also provide information to increase awareness and understanding of the creation of safe environments for all people, which includes: information about professional ethics; prevention of abuse and misconduct through education; and treatment and healing issues.

Under the direction of the Bishop, the Communications Office will also provide public information on safe environment programs, the ongoing implementation of the Diocese of Boise Sexual Misconduct Policies, and related policies, programs and efforts.

Vehicles for dissemination of this information will include the Idaho Catholic Register—official newspaper of the Diocese of Boise, the diocesan website— www.catholicidaho.org, parish bulletins, and news releases to the secular media.

B. Communication Timeliness

In the event sexual misconduct occurs, the Diocese of Boise will communicate with an affected parish and/or school, the media and the broader diocesan community in a timely way. The Diocese will provide the information needed to allow affected communities to heal. Such communication will respect the privacy and reputation of those involved, will be fully consistent with all applicable canon and civil laws, and will promote collaboration in the community.

C. Responding to the Media

In consultation with the Bishop, the Communications director will formulate appropriate responses to questions from the media. The director shall serve as the primary diocesan spokesperson with the media, and when necessary coordinate media interviews with diocesan officials and other relevant persons.

When it is appropriate for the Bishop to serve as a visible spokesperson on specific issues, the Bishop will make himself as available to the media whenever possible, to demonstrate a commitment to open and effective communication.

The Communications director will always respond in a timely way to media inquiries. Any message communicated to the media should always include, wherever possible, the Diocese’s policy that abuse and misconduct allegations are taken seriously and that the Diocese will cooperate fully with civil authorities.

D. Communications From Parish and School Personnel

All priests, parish life directors, deacons, diocesan staff, school, parish and diocesan personnel shall receive instructions to refer all media inquiries to the Communications director. Local church personnel should not discuss issues with the media without first consulting with the Communications director. The director will provide consultation to church personnel when a local reply to the media is inevitable. Under such circumstances, church personnel shall always show professional courtesy to media representatives.

The diocese, through the Office of Communications, will provide training to those who may be called upon to serve as secondary spokespersons, in the event that the office of communication determines that a secondary spokesperson is required in a particular circumstance. Pastors, administrators, parish life directors, diocesan personnel, principals and agency directors may be designated by the Communications director to serve as such secondary spokespersons. The training provided by the communications office will assure that, on occasions when they are required to do so, these secondary spokespersons can competently respond to media inquiries.

E. Communicating with Directly Affected Communities

Recognizing the importance of supporting parishes and/or schools directly affected by misconduct involving the victimization of minors, the Diocese will work with relevant diocesan offices, school and/or parish leadership to ensure parishioners and/or school families receive timely, factual and pastorally appropriate communications from the diocese. The Communications director assists with coordination of this communication, preparation of any needed letters or statements, and coordination of media inquiries, in collaboration with other appropriate diocesan personnel.