NEW MEXICO
Gallup Independent
Published in the Gallup Independent, Gallup, N.M., January 14, 2016
Attorneys in the Diocese of Gallup’s bankruptcy case are currently working out the details of the diocese’s settlement agreement with clergy sex abuse claimants. Part of that agreement will involve providing the claimants a monetary settlement for the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual injuries they suffered after being sexually abused as children. Another part of the agreement will involve non-monetary terms for the diocese to begin implementing.
In many ways, if the non-monetary terms of the settlement are grounded in the principles of truth and transparency, they are potentially more important than the monetary terms. Whether abuse claimants are awarded small or large monetary settlements, the money will eventually be spent. The truth, however, will last forever. Therefore, we hope the attorneys representing the clergy abuse claimants will advocate for all abuse victims and survivors by insisting on the following non-monetary terms.
Updated list of credibly accused abusers: When Bishop James S. Wall released his list of credibly accused abusers in December 2014, the list was not accurate or complete. The list did not include four former Gallup priests who have been identified as abusers by other Catholic dioceses and religious orders, and it did not include individuals who have been named in U.S. Bankruptcy Court claims. This updated list should be posted prominently on the diocesan website and published several times in all parish bulletins — including parishes in the Diocese of Phoenix that were once part of the Gallup Diocese. The Franciscan provinces that have sent clergy to the Diocese of Gallup should also be required to post such lists on their websites.
Publicly release personnel files: The personnel files of all credibly accused abusers who worked or volunteered in the Gallup Diocese should be publicly released and posted on the Internet. Redactions to protect the identity of abuse victims should be the only redactions allowed. The file of former Gallup priest James M. Burns, which was publicly released by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, needs to be re-released because church officials were allowed to redact an unreasonable amount of information — more than one-third of the file. Again, the Franciscans and other religious orders should be required to also comply.
Terminate all confidentiality agreements: The Diocese of Gallup has signed countless confidentiality agreements with victims of clergy sex abuse, forcing those survivors to remain silent about their abuse. Those past confidentiality settlement terms must be terminated so all abuse survivors can be free to speak out if they choose.
Support victims of abuse: The diocese needs to establish an adequate fund to support the counseling needs of abuse survivors and their immediate family members. In addition, the name and contact information of the victims assistance coordinator should be published prominently on the diocesan website and in every church bulletin.
Notify law enforcement: There are currently 11 accused abusers from the diocese who are reportedly still alive. Only Brett Candelaria, a former lay religion education teacher, is in prison. Where is John Boland, who was allowed by Bishop Wall to leave the country? Where is Raul Sanchez, who was allowed to become an Air Force chaplain to escape allegations here? Where is Charles Cichanowicz, who abused boys on the Navajo Nation? Where are the rest of the abusers? Diocesan officials should encourage abuse victims to file police reports in the counties where the abuse occurred, and church officials should notify law enforcement officials of known incidents of abuse. Law enforcement officials can properly determine statute of limitation issues. Diocesan officials should also be required to notify law enforcement officials where credibly accused abusers are currently residing.
Revise and enforce diocesan policies: The Gallup Diocese needs a revised diocesan policy concerning sexual assault, misconduct, harassment and the use of pornography, and that policy needs to be posted on the diocesan website. Violations of that policy need to be enforced and truthfully reported to the public. The days of telling parishioners that a priest has stepped down for “health reasons” should be over.
Publicly announce allegations: The Diocese of Gallup has a long history of quietly shuffling abusers — to new parishes, treatment centers or into retirement — when allegations surface. Being in bankruptcy court apparently hasn’t changed this. According to court documents, a new abuse allegation was made in July 2014. Who is the accused abuser? Was the allegation credible? Is the accused abuser still in ministry? Or has he been sent to another parish, put in a treatment center or pushed into retirement? Bishop Wall owes local Catholics and the public the truth about this and all allegations.
In this space only does the opinion of the Gallup Independent Editorial Board appear.
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