BishopAccountability.org
	Guest Column: Diocese Acted to Protect Children By Timothy G. Reilly Green Bay Press-Gazette January 13, 2008 http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20080113/GPG07/801130749/1273/GPGbusiness As a diocese, we will never be able to undo the harm and pain of clergy sexual abuse of minors. What we can do is apologize for the actions of 35 of our diocesan priests, both living and deceased, who, from 1950 to 2002, have had credible allegations of abuse against them. Today's apology is added to those of our previous bishops and, in a special way, to the apology of Bishop David Zubik at the Service of Apology on Oct. 2, 2006. We extend our heartfelt compassion to those who have been abused and continue to invite victims to talk about the ways in which we can assist in their journey toward healing. In addition to listening and sincerely attempting to help the particular needs of the abused, we have taken aggressive measures to ensure the safety of our children. In recent weeks, these measures have been publicly misrepresented and misreported. I'd like to speak clearly and frankly about our actions. On Jan. 2, a plaintiff who recently filed a civil action against the diocese dating back to 1978, said: "The overwhelming reason for us to bring this action now is really that the diocese has never really come to grips or taken responsibility for what has occurred in the past. Frankly, it could be continuing now. The veil of secrecy about this is almost stunning." This statement is untrue and cannot go unchallenged. In 2002, a local task force reviewed the personnel files of all 980 diocesan priests who had served in the diocese since 1859. Every substantiated allegation of sexual abuse by a priest against a minor was recorded. Any substantiated allegation against a living priest was turned over to the appropriate district attorney. The review showed that all but two priests had already been removed from public priestly ministry. Those two priests were removed that year. Since 2002, any substantiated allegation has been reported to civil authorities. This allows the police and district attorneys to do what they do best — investigate and prosecute. To release the names of accused clergy who are deceased is unfair, since they cannot defend themselves. To release the names of clergy who are living but have not been charged with a crime is contrary to the constitutional protection of "innocent until proven guilty." There are no priests with substantiated allegations of abuse of a minor in public priestly ministry in our diocese! In addition to publicly releasing statistics in 2002 and 2004 about those priests who have been accused of sexual abuse of a minor, we have taken numerous steps to ensure the safety of our children and vulnerable adults. Since 2003, we have conducted more than 19,000 background checks and trained almost 18,000 priests, deacons, seminarians, paid staff and volunteers at our parishes, schools and diocesan offices. To help us evaluate our policies and procedures, there is a local Independent Review Board composed of law enforcement, legal, social service, and health care professionals. The board conducts a quarterly review of our actions regarding every new allegation. Additionally, these processes have been reviewed annually since 2003 by independent auditors who are former FBI agents. Each year we have received positive reports. To say that the diocese hasn't taken responsibility or that we are operating under a veil of secrecy is erroneous. We are vigilant in our protection of children as we undertake with zeal the widespread ministry with and on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Catholics in the diocese of Green Bay. Deacon Timothy G. Reilly is director of administration for the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.