2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Eparchy of Van Nuys
Bishop William C. Skurla
Previous Audit Conducted 9/8
-12/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of September 13 to 17, 2004.
The Eparchy has a policy on the
prevention of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The eparchy provides
outreach designed to offer pastoral care to victims/survivors and their
families. The Bishop 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 Bishop or his delegate has directed
outreach to the faith communities. The Eparchy 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 Eparchy has a victim assistance coordinator, Rosemarie Ludwig, PhD,
who has provided counseling for children for 25 years, and has a PhD in
Human Development. The Eparchy established in 2002, a Review Board which
consists of five members. The members include a medical nurse, a
psychiatric nurse, a law enforcement officer with a specialty in sex abuse
investigations, and two clergy. 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
Eparchy has not entered into any confidentiality agreements during the
audit period.
The Eparchy had no cases of sexual abuse of a minor to
report to public authorities since the last compliance audit. The Eparchy
would comply with all applicable civil laws with respect to the reporting
of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities. The Eparchy
has established effective liaison with civil authorities, ensuring that an
open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations will occur. The Eparchial
policy requires cooperation with public authorities about reporting in
cases when the person is no longer a minor; however, there have been no
such incidents since the last audit. In all instances, the Eparchy advises
victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by a
member of the clergy to civil authorities.
If an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon were
received, a preliminary investigation, in harmony with canon law, would be
initiated. If a preliminary investigation so indicates, the Eparchy 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 Eparchy would take steps to restore the good name of the priest or
deacon.
If 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
Eparchial policies provide that the offending priest or deacon be
permanently removed from ministry. The Eparchy would offer professional
assistance to offending priests or deacons.
In every case involving canonical penalties, the processes provided for
in canon law are observed. Accused clergy would be encouraged to retain
the assistance of civil and canonical counsel. When necessary, the Eparchy
would supply canonical counsel to a priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state has not been
applied, the Eparchy would direct the offender to lead a life of prayer
and penance. The Eparchy would not allow the offender to celebrate
publicly, to administer the sacraments, or to present himself publicly as
a priest.
The Eparchy 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 Eparchy assists and
supports all parish communities directly affected by ministerial
misconduct involving minors.
The Eparchy has fully implemented a "safe environment"
education program. The educational program for children is “Reduce the
Risk,” which also employs video and text from “Clarissa” by Marsh Media.
The educational program for parents, parishioners, and others is "Safe
Environment Training for Parents and Parishioners” specifically developed
by the Eparchy. The educational program for ministers is The Pastoral
Minister & Abuse of Minors: A Strategy and Dignity, Values and Safety
in the Church taken from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Eparchy has
clear and well publicized standards of conduct for persons in positions of
trust with regard to sexual abuse. The Eparchy conducts background
evaluations for all Eparchial and parish personnel who have regular
contact with minors, using appropriate law enforcement resources. The
Eparchy employs adequate screening and evaluative techniques in deciding
the fitness of candidates for ordination.
The Eparchy 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 Eparchy has not
transferred any priest or deacon who has a credible allegation of sexual
abuse made against him to another eparchy for residence since the last
audit.
The Bishop has coordinated with major superiors of men and other
clerical institutions, on the issue of allegations of sexual abuse of
minors by clergy. The Eparchy has not had the opportunity to participate
in research with other institutions in the area of sexual abuse. The
Eparchy 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 Eparchy was found to be compliant with all articles of the Charter
for the Protection of Children and Young People.