2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Crookston
Bishop Victor H. Balke
Audit Conducted
08/30-09/03/2004
Previous Audit Conducted
10/06-10/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of August 30 - September 3, 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. The Bishop or his representative would have met with, or offered
to meet with all victims/survivors who have reported allegations of abuse
since the last compliance audit but the diocese has not had any reported
allegations. The Bishop or his delegate also would have directed outreach
to all faith communities in which the sexual abuse occurred however, there
were no incidents. 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 victim assistance coordinator, Bernadette Dunn, who
has a Master's of Divinity, has taken numerous courses focused on
identifying inappropriate boundary issues, and was an Associate Instructor
for Counseling Skills and Spiritual Direction at St. John's School of
Theology/Seminary. The Diocese established in 2002 a Review Board which
consists of seven members. The members include: a counseling psychologist;
a juvenile investigator; a social worker; an attorney; a certified school
counselor and two pastors. 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 agreements during the
audit period.
The Diocese would have reported all allegations of sexual
abuse of a minor to public authorities since the last compliance audit if
any occurred. 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, will be
initiated. If a preliminary investigation so indicates, the Diocese will
notify the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and apply the
precautionary measures mentioned in CIC, canon 1722, or CCEO, canon 1473.
If accusations against a priest or a deacon are proven to be unfounded,
the Diocese will take 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 that the offending priest or deacon be
permanently removed from ministry. The Diocese will offer professional
assistance to offending priests or deacons.
Had there been any cases involving canonical penalties, the processes
provided for in canon law would have been observed. Had the Diocese had
any accused clergy, they would have been encouraged to retain the
assistance of civil and canonical counsel. If necessary, the Diocese will
supply canonical counsel to a priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state had been applied,
the Diocese would direct the offender to lead a life of prayer and
penance. The Diocese would 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. Had it been necessary, the
Diocese would assist and support all parish communities directly affected
by ministerial misconduct involving minors.
The Diocese has not fully implemented a
"safe environment" education program as it pertains to volunteers and
retired clergy who still have contact with children. A Required Action
(#1) was issued. The educational program for children is “Creating and
Maintaining a Safe Environment for Children and Young People” and is age
specific. The educational program for parents, for ministers, for
educators, and for others is the same but uses the age specific part of
the program. The Diocese has clear and well publicized standards of
conduct for persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. The
Diocese has not conducted background evaluations for all diocesan and
parish personnel who have regular contact with minors, using appropriate
law enforcement resources where permissible. Volunteers and retired clergy
who still have contact with children have not received documented
background investigations. A Required Action (#2) was issued. 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/eparchy 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. 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 was found to be compliant with all
articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People with the exception of Articles 12 and 13. The following
Required Actions was/were issued:
REQUIRED ACTION #1 (Article #12) - The Diocese of Crookston
should provide training on a safe environment program for retired clergy
and volunteers who have regular contact with minors.
REQUIRED ACTION #2 (Article #13) - The Diocese of Crookston
should conduct background evaluations on retired clergy and volunteers who
have regular contact with minors.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Diocese of Crookston had satisfactorily
completed the required actions. The Diocese is found to be compliant with
all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People.