2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Buffalo
Auxiliary Bishop/Administrator Edward Grosz
Previous
Audit Conducted September 8-12, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of August 9-13, 2004.
The Diocese of Buffalo has a policy on
the prevention of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The diocese provides
outreach designed to offer pastoral care to victims/survivors and their
families. The bishop or his representative has met or offered to meet with
all victims/survivors who have reported allegations of abuse, who have
requested such meetings, since the last compliance audit. The bishop or
his delegate has directed outreach to faith communities in which the
sexual abuse occurred. The diocese 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 diocese has a diocesan assistance
coordinator, Kathryn Marsh, who is a certified social worker and counselor
experienced in responding to at risk children and adults. The diocese
established in December 2002 a Review Board which consists of 10 members.
The members include two retired judges, a social worker, corporate human
resources executive, corporate financial officer, professor of psychiatry
and pediatrics, registered nurse, woman/religious social worker, county
attorney, and canonical priest. The Board serves as a confidential
consultative body to the bishop.
The procedures for making a
complaint of abuse are readily available in printed form, and are the
subject of periodic public announcements. The diocese has not entered into
any confidentiality agreement during the audit period.
The diocese reported all
allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public authorities since the
last compliance audit. The diocese complies with all applicable civil laws
with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to
civil authorities. The diocese has established effective liaison with
civil authorities, ensuring that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse
allegations will occur. The diocese cooperates with public authorities
about reporting in cases when the person is no longer a minor. In all
instances, the diocese 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, a preliminary investigation, in harmony with
canon law, is initiated. If a preliminary investigation so indicates, the
diocese notifies the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and applies
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 diocese takes steps to restore the good name of the priest
or deacon.
When sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or a deacon is
admitted or established after an appropriate process in accord with canon
law, the diocesan policies provide for the offending priest or deacon to
be permanently removed from ministry. The diocese offers professional
assistance to offending priests or 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 diocese supplies canonical
counsel to a priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from
the clerical state has not been applied, the diocese directs the offender
to lead a life of prayer and penance. The diocese does not allow the
offender to celebrate Mass publicly, to administer the sacraments, or to
present himself publicly as a priest.
The diocese has established
clear and well-publicized standards of ministerial behavior for priests
and deacons. A communications policy is in effect which reflects the
bishop's pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual
abuse of children. The diocese assists and supports all parish communities
directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors.
The diocese has fully
implemented a "safe environment" educational program. The educational
program for children is Human Growth and Development; the
educational program for parents is Protecting God’s Children for
Adults; the educational program for ministers is Protecting God’s
Children for Adults; the educational program for educators is
Protecting God’s Children for Adults; and the educational program
for others is Protecting God’s Children for Adults. The diocese has
clear and well publicized standards of conduct for persons in positions of
trust with regard to sexual abuse. The diocese conducts background
evaluations for all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact
with minors, using appropriate law enforcement resources where
permissible. The diocese employs adequate screening and evaluative
techniques in deciding the fitness of candidates for ordination.
The diocese 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, without
providing the proper notification to the new diocese of residence.
The bishop, or his designee, has coordinated with major superiors
of men with a presence in the diocese concerning addressing the issue of
allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The diocese has not had
the opportunity to participate in research with other institutions in the
area of sexual abuse. The diocese 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 Diocese of Buffalo was found to be compliant
with all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and
Young People.