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How can I report an incident of clergy sexual abuse?
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, it is important that you come forward so you can receive assistance.
The Church bears a responsibility to help the victims and
survivors of sexual abuse and ensure that offenders face justice.
Sexual abuse is always wrong and not the fault of the individual who has
been abused.
Reports can be made to the Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Services Office at (414) 769-3436.
The agencies in the 10 counties of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee listed at this link offer free services to victims/survivors of sexual abuse.
Why wait to list the names until now?
In June 2002, the archdiocese stated its intention to provide a
public listing of all priests restricted from ministry in accordance
with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
Archbishop Dolan consulted with the community advisory board, priests’
council, public officials, and other key advisors – and after a great
deal of reflection and prayer – he authorized the listing of the names
of priests who have been restricted from all priestly ministry in
accordance with the provisions of the Charter for the Protection of
Children and Young People.
In January 2004, we made the commitment to provide the names of
all living priests in this category to the appropriate civil
authorities, and we have done so.
The public listing was done on July 9, 2004.
What does "fully restricted from all priestly ministry" mean?
Priests who are fully restricted from ministry are prohibited from:
- All priestly ministry,
- Publicly celebrating the sacraments, and
- Presenting themselves as priests in any way.
Why publicize these names at all?
There are four reasons:
- Protecting children is our primary concern and obligation.
- By releasing this information, the Church of southeastern
Wisconsin reaffirms its commitment to seeking, reaching out to, and
encouraging any victims/survivors of clergy sexual abuse of minors who
have yet to come forward to do so knowing that they will be believed.
- We want to affirm the faithful, holy, and wholesome service of
the vast majority of priests who serve Catholics and their communities
in southeastern Wisconsin.
- We again demonstrate the promise of the Church in southeastern
Wisconsin to be open and candid. To obtain forgiveness and rebuild
trust, our commitment is to remain open, accountable, and vigilant.
Can the living priests on this list ever return to ministry?
They are barred from functioning as priests. The Holy Father and
the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted by
the U.S. Bishops in June 2002, made it very clear that anyone who would
harm a child is permanently barred from priesthood.
Why do the number of men on this list differ from the numbers previously published by the archdiocese?
During the past two years, the archdiocese has tried to provide
the most accurate and complete information it had at the time. As
presented today, this list is as accurate and complete as we can make
it.
Where is there listing of priests of religious orders?
Priests who are members of religious orders are under the
supervision and authority of the religious order. The Archdiocese of
Milwaukee has been in contact with the superiors of each religious order
to encourage them to provide the same information about priests in
their order. When they do, the archdiocese will add those names to our
listing. However, the superiors of religious orders make the ultimate
decision to provide this information. We have urged them to be
forthcoming. When they do so, it will enhance the credibility of our
efforts.
What information has been publicized?
The information posted on the archdiocesan Web site includes the name of the priest and his current status.
Will the Church tell us where these men are living?
Publicly providing the names of these men is as far as we are
prepared to go. It is appropriate and something that resulted from wide
consultation. Law enforcement officials have been aware of these names
for months, and we have provided any information we have to these
officials.
Will the Church provide details about specific reports?
We leave it to individual victims/survivors as to whether they
would like to make their own experience public. Psychologists, victim
advocates and victims/survivors themselves have told us that releasing
details of individual reports could further harm victims by revealing
their identity or revisiting horrific memories.
How are you helping victims/survivors?
All victims/survivors are encouraged to come forward and make a
report, knowing they will be believed. Immediately and without
question, an individual victim/survivor making a report is eligible for
therapy and counseling at archdiocesan expense. A dialog also begins
with the victim/survivor as to what else can be done to help the
victim/survivor heal and move forward.
Why were some priests able to work in so many different parishes?
In the majority of cases, reports of a priest committing acts of
sexual abuse of a minor were received by the archdiocese long after the
abuse had occurred. In the meantime, these priests moved from parish to
parish in the normal course of pastoral assignments. It is only in
recent years that the abuse has been reported. Since June 2002, when
the Charter was adopted, any known offender still in ministry was
removed and barred from functioning as a priest.
Child sexual abuse has always been a crime. Today, the only
place for any priest who would sexually abuse a child is outside the
ministry, obligating the Church to tend to the victims/survivors.
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