2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Charlotte
Bishop Peter J. Jugis
Previous Audit Conducted August
4-8, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of August 16-20, 2004.
The diocese 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. There have been no allegations of abuse within the diocese since
the last compliance audit. One non-specific complaint was received just
before the audit and is currently being investigated by the diocesan
review board. The bishop or his delegate has directed outreach to all
faith communities in which a priest has been removed from ministry. 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 three victim assistance coordinators,
Nancy Miller Campbell, MHDL, LPC, who has worked as a counselor for
Catholic Social Services for seventeen (17) years; she has attended
numerous trainings for adult survivors of child sexual abuse and has
served for two years as a facilitator for the VIRTUS “Protecting God’s
Children” program. She is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist
Church. Michele Sheppard, MSW, LCSW, has worked in the Mental Health field
for eleven years. She has public agency experience as well as social work
experience with Catholic Social Services. She has attended numerous
training sessions regarding working with survivors of child sexual abuse.
David Harold, M. Div., LCSW, has thirty years experience in individual and
marriage counseling with Mental Health and Catholic Social Services. He
has attended many training programs teaching techniques that are useful in
counseling survivors of child sexual abuse. In 1995 the diocese
established a Review Board which consists of ten members. The members
include a publisher, two attorneys, a vice president of human resources, a
retired investments advisor, a hospital administrator, a therapist and
consultant in child and adolescent therapy involving sexual abuse, the
Director of Graduate Counseling for a university, a priest, and a retired
marketing executive. 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 subject of periodic public
announcements. The diocese has not entered into any confidentiality
agreements during the audit period.
The diocese did not have
any incidents of sexual abuse of a minor to report 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 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. The diocese has not had an occasion when accusations against a
priest or a deacon were proven to be unfounded.
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 that the offending priest or deacon 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.
There has not been an occasion where the penalty of dismissal from
the clerical state has not been applied. The diocese has a policy which
directs the offender to lead a life of prayer and penance in such cases.
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 does assist and
support all parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct
involving minors.
The diocese has fully implemented a "safe environment"
education program. The educational program for children is “Holiness of
the Body – Good Touch/Bad Touch” and “Family Life”; the educational
program for parents, ministers, educators, and others is VIRTUS –
“Protecting God’s Children.” 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. 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 since the last audit.
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, but has had dialogue with other institutions. 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 Charlotte was found to be compliant with all articles of
the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.