2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn
Bishop/Eparch Gregory J. Mansour
Previous Audit Conducted
10/6-10/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 11/15-19/2004.
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 all faith communities in which the sexual abuse occurred. 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, Roseanne Solomon, who
is a mother of four and an extremely active layperson in the Maronite
community. She has no formal training or experience in dealing with sexual
abuse matters but holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and Spanish. She
was the Bishop’s choice as the most qualified person within the eparchy to
hold this position. The eparchy established in 2003 a Review Board which
consists of five members. The members include a psychologist, a physician,
a lawyer, a police lieutenant and a priest. 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 would have reported all allegations of sexual
abuse of a minor to public authorities however there were none since the
last compliance audit. 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 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
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 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 does 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 eparchy
is using the resources of each Latin Diocese where the 40 Maronite
parishes are located. The type of training is determined by the program
used in the applicable Latin Rite Diocese. There are ongoing programs for
all persons associated with the eparchy who have regular contact with
children. The educational program for children is still under study and
has not yet been implemented; the educational program for parents is based
on the applicable Latin Rite Diocese program; the educational program for
ministers is determined on the same basis; the educational program for
educators does not exist as they are all volunteers and reported under the
volunteer category; the educational program for others including
volunteers is again determined by the Latin Rite Diocese. The eparchy has
clear and well-publicized standards of conduct for persons in positions of
trust with regard to sexual abuse. The eparchy has not 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 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 a 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 not 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 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 with the exception of Articles numbers 12 and 13. The following
Required Actions were issued:
REQUIRED ACTION # 1, Article 12
Provide the name of the training program selected or created and then
provide the number of children to be trained and a schedule for the
completion of the training.
REQUIRED ACTION# 2, Article 13
Provide the number of volunteers having regular access to children who
have completed background investigations. If any volunteers have not
completed background investigations, provide the number and a schedule for
their completion.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn had
satisfactorily completed the required actions. The Eparchy is found to be
in compliance with all articles of the Charter for the Protection of
Children and Young People.