2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Archdiocese of Boston
Archbishop Sean Patrick O’Malley
Previous Audit Conducted
10/27-31/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of October 25 to 29, 2004.
The Archdiocese has a policy on the
prevention of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The Archdiocese provides
outreach designed to offer pastoral care to victims/survivors and their
families. The Archbishop or his representative has met with, or offered to
meet with all victims/survivors who have reported allegations of abuse
since the last compliance audit. The Archbishop or his delegate has
directed outreach to the faith communities. The Archdiocese has a
mechanism in place to respond promptly to any allegation where there is
reason to believe that sexual abuse of a minor occurred.
The
Archdiocese has a victim assistance coordinator, Barbara Thorp, who has a
Masters Degree in Social Work and is a certified Licensed Independent
Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). She has extensive pastoral experience and
work in crisis intervention. The Archdiocese established in 1993, a Review
Board which consists of nine members. The members include a clinical
social worker, a licensed investigator, a priest, a retired Chief Justice
of Family Court, a psychotherapist, a psychiatrist, a female parent, and
two nurses. The Board serves as a confidential consultative body to the
Archbishop.
The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are
readily available in printed form, and are the subject of periodic public
announcements. The Archdiocese has not entered into any confidentiality
agreements during the audit period.
The Archdiocese reported
all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public authorities since the
last compliance audit. The Archdiocese complies with all applicable civil
laws with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of
minors to civil authorities. The Archdiocese has established effective
liaison with civil authorities, ensuring that an open dialogue regarding
sexual abuse allegations will occur. The Archdiocesan policy requires
cooperation with public authorities about reporting in cases when the
person is no longer a minor. In all instances, the Archdiocese advises
victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by a
member of the clergy to civil authorities.
When an allegation of
sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon is received, the
Archdiocesan policy states that a preliminary investigation, in harmony
with canon law, would be initiated. If a preliminary investigation so
indicates, the Archdiocesan policy is to notify the Congregation for the
Doctrine of Faith and apply the precautionary measures mentioned in CIC,
canon 1722, or CCEO, canon 1473. When accusations against a priest or a
deacon are proven to be unfounded, the Archdiocese takes steps to restore
the good name of the priest or deacon.
When sexual abuse of a
minor by a priest or a deacon were admitted or established after an
appropriate process in accord with canon law, the Archdiocesan policies
provide that the offending priest or deacon be permanently removed from
ministry. The Archdiocese offers professional assistance to offending
priests and deacons.
In every case involving canonical penalties,
the processes provided for in canon law are observed. Accused clergy are
encouraged to retain the assistance of civil and canonical counsel. When
necessary, the Archdiocese supplies canonical counsel to priests and
deacons.
If the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state has
not been applied, the Archdiocese would direct the offender to lead a life
of prayer and penance. The Archdiocese does not allow the offender to
celebrate publicly, to administer the sacraments, or to present himself
publicly as a priest.
The Archdiocese has established clear and
well-publicized standards of ministerial behavior for priests and deacons.
A communications policy is in effect which reflects the Archbishop's
pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of
children. The Archdiocese assists and supports all parish communities
directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors.
The Archdiocese has
implemented a "safe environment" education program. The educational
program for children, entitled “Talking about Touching” has been altered
and will be implemented in the Archdiocese. The educational program for
parents has been implemented. The program the diocese is using is "Virtus:
Protecting God’s Children for Adults.” The educational program for
ministers, employees, educators, and others is “Virtus: Protecting God’s
Children for Adults,” The Archdiocese has clear and well publicized
standards of conduct for persons in positions of trust with regard to
sexual abuse. The Archdiocese conducts background evaluations for all
Archdiocesan personnel who have regular contact with minors using
appropriate law enforcement resources where permissible. The Archdiocese
employs adequate screening and evaluative techniques in deciding the
fitness of candidates for ordination.
The Archdiocese has not
transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of
sexual abuse made against him to another ministerial assignment since the
last audit. The diocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has
had a credible allegation of sexual abuse made against him to another
diocese for residence since the last audit period.
The
Archbishop has coordinated with major superiors of men, on the issue of
allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The Archdiocese has
participated in research with other institutions in the area of sexual
abuse. The Archdiocese has developed a systematic ongoing formation
program in keeping with the Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of
Priests.
At the conclusion of this
compliance audit, the Archdiocese was found to be compliant with all
articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People.