2004 Audit Executive Summary #2:
Eparchy of El Cajon - Audit Completion
Eparch Sarhad Yawsip Jammo
No previous Audit
Conducted
Initial part of this audit conducted on September 5-6,
2004
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of October 19-21, 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 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, Fr. Sabri A. Kejbo,
Vicar General, who has been a priest since 1968. The eparchy established
in August 2004 a Review Board which consists of five members. The members
include the bishop; the Vicar General/VAC; a dentist; a social worker; and
an educator. 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 will report all validated allegations of
sexual abuse of a minor to public authorities. The eparchy complies 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 eparchy cooperates with
public authorities about reporting in cases when the person is no longer a
minor. 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.
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 eparchy
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 eparchy 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
eparchial policies provide that the offending priest or deacon be
permanently removed from ministry. The eparchy 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 eparchy
supplies canonical counsel to a priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state has not been
applied, the eparchy directs the offender to lead a life of prayer and
penance. The eparchy does not allow the offender to celebrate Mass
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 would assist
and support all parish communities directly affected by ministerial
misconduct involving minors.
The eparchy has not fully implemented a "safe
environment" education program. A Required Action was issued. The
educational program for children is not yet fully developed; the
educational program for parents is not yet fully developed; the
educational program for ministers is not yet fully developed; the
educational program for educators is not yet fully developed; and the
educational program for others is not yet fully developed. The eparchy
does have clear and well publicized standards of conduct for persons in
positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. The eparchy has not yet
conducted background evaluations for all eparchial and parish personnel
who have regular contact with minors, using appropriate law enforcement
resources where permissible. A Required Action was issued. The eparchy
does employ 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 had a credible allegation of
sexual abuse made against him to another eparchy for residence since the
last audit.
The bishop, or his designee, has coordinated with major superiors of
men with a presence in the eparchy concerning addressing 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 is establishing 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 with the exception of Articles 12 and 13. The following
Required Actions were issued:
Required Action #1: Article 12
Develop, establish, and
implement training programs called for in Article 12 of the Charter for
the Protection of Children and Young People. Provide a schedule for
the Safe Environment Training of priests, deacons, educators, employees,
volunteers, parents and children.
Required Action #2: Article 13
Develop, establish, and
implement background evaluations, utilizing the resources of law
enforcement and other community agencies as called for in Article 13 of
the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
Provide a schedule for the completion of the background investigations for
priest, deacons, educator, employees and volunteers.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Eparchy of El Cajon is found to be
compliant with all articles of the Charter for the Protection of
Children and Young People except Article 12 and Article 13.