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  The Settlement's Non-Monetary Measures

Catholic Messenger
May 30, 2008

http://home.catholicweb.com/CathMessDavDio/index.cfm/NewsItem?ID=233726&From=Home

Here is the list of non-monetary measures that are a part of the Diocese of Davenport's bankruptcy settlement. All actions are to take place within 30 days after the effective date, unless otherwise noted:

• Publicly release the names of all perpetrators responsible for abuse.

• For a period of at least nine years after the effective date, the diocese will post on its Web site a prominent link on the home page to the names of all known perpetrators, including deceased perpetrators and those previously listed.

• Within one year after the effective date, Bishop Amos will personally visit each parish in which abuse occurred or where perpetrators served. The bishop will publicly identify perpetrators who served in the parish and will encourage all abuse survivors to report abuse to local law enforcement, the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator, health care professionals or other trusted person.

The bishop's visit to the parishes will be scheduled and publicized in parish bulletins and The Catholic Messenger at least 30 days in advance. The diocese will invite all known survivors of abuse in that parish to attend. The bishop shall provide time for a forum/discussion during his visit to address parishioner questions and comments.

• For nine years after the effective date, the diocese will publish in parish bulletins and The Catholic Messenger (or its equivalent) contact information for the Victim Assistance Coordinator and will encourage abuse survivors to contact a health care professional for assistance in finding mental health support or counseling.

• The diocese will publish in The Catholic Messenger four times per year for five years and one time per year for 20 years thereafter, a prominent statement urging abused persons to contact law enforcement, the Victim Assistance Coordinator, doctor or other health care professional or other trusted person to report abuse.

• The bishop will publicly support elimination of all criminal statutes of limitation for child sexual abuse committed by clergy or others in similar positions of authority.

• For two years after the effective date, the diocese will permit allowed tort claimants to speak publicly, once, in the parish where they were abused at a time mutually agreeable to the tort claimant, diocese and parish. Reasonable notice of the presentation will be given.

• The diocese will make available reasonable space in each issue of The Catholic Messenger for two years after the effective date to permit allowed tort claimants to publish stories of their abuse.

• The diocese and its representatives will not refer either verbally or in print to the tort claims or tort claimants as "alleged" claims, "alleged" victims or "alleged" survivors.

• The bishop will send letters of apology to tort claimants who request a letter or, if requested by immediate family members. The letter will state that the survivor was not at fault for the abuse and that the diocese takes responsibility for the abuse. The bishop and all members of the diocese's Board of Directors will personally sign the letter.

• All confidentiality agreements involving sex abuse survivors will end on the effective date to the extent that perpetrators' names, church knowledge of abuse and any other information (other than the abuse survivor's name, address, family members, and other personally identifying information) may be made public.

• The diocese shall continue to provide an outreach program for abuse survivors. The Victim Assistance Coordinator will report to the review board established under procedures required by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

• On a regular and continuing basis, announcements and information will be given in writing and in church and in schools regarding the prevention of abuse, training to identify signs of abuse, statements that the abused are not at fault, and encouraging the reporting of abuse.

• The diocese will adopt a whistle blower policy concerning the method by which a report concerning abuse within the diocese can be made. The diocese will not take any retaliatory actions against persons who report such information in good faith.

• All priests working in the diocese and the bishop will make a written statement that they have not sexually abused any minor and have no knowledge that any other priest or employee of the diocese has abused any person or that knowledge of any abuse has been reported to law enforcement, county attorney and Victim Assistance Coordinator.

• The diocese will prominently display a plaque in each school in the diocese stating: "The abuse of the spiritual, emotional, and moral development of the young men and women of "Regina High School" (or other school name, as appropriate) shall not be tolerated." At Regina High School, the plaques shall be placed next to the door of the principal's office.

• The diocese shall make a full written report to the Apostolic Nuncio and request appropriate action be taken with respect to retired Bishop Lawrence Soens.

 
 

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