2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota
Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr Previous Audit Conducted 7/7/2003
to 7/11/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 8/2/2004 to 8/5/2004.
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 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 all 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 3 victim assistance coordinators, Tab Baumgartner, who
is a hospital chaplain, Dayle Peterson and Esther Reagan, who are both
professional counselors. The diocese established in 1992 a Review Board
which consists of 9 members. The members include 2 Priests, 1 lawyer, 1
hospital administrator, 1 school principal, 1 sociologist, 2 psychologists
and 1 medical doctor. 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 did not have any new allegations since the
last audit, but would report all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to
public authorities as a policy. 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 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 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.
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 not fully implemented a "safe
environment" education program (details are set forth below in a Required
Action). The educational programs for children are Good Touch /Bad Touch,
First Witness, Child Lures Prevention program, and others. The educational
programs for parents are the same as for the children. The educational
programs for ministers, educators, and others are also the same. 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. However, there still exist a significant number of
background investigations to be completed. 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 Archdiocese/diocese/eparchy
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
participated 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 numbers 12 and 13. The following Required Actions were issued:
REQUIRED ACTION # 1 of 2 (Article 12) (Safe Environment Program)
The diocese has “Safe Environment Programs” established for children,
youth, parents, clergy, educators, and others as required. However, during
this audit, it could not be determined how many in each category had been
trained, remained to be trained or if a schedule for completion had been
established. The diocese should specifically identify by category the
number of individuals who have been trained, the number remaining to be
trained and a schedule for completion.
REQUIRED ACTION # 2 of 2 (Article 13) (Background
Investigations)
The diocese began conducting background investigations in September
2003. The diocese has approximately 5600 individuals which fall within the
parameters of requiring background investigations. As of this audit
approximately 3500 individuals have a completed background investigation.
Included in these totals are 77 Priests in the diocese of whom 48 have had
theirs completed. Diocesan officials could not provide a schedule as to
when the remaining investigations will be completed and a required action
was issued to provide such a schedule for completion.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Diocese of Duluth has 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.