2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan
Bishop Patrick R. Cooney
Previous Audit Conducted August
4-7, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of October 4 – 8, 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.
Candace Neff, who is the Diocesan Coordinator for Misconduct Issues
& Director of Communications, also serves in the capacity of Victim
Assistance Coordinator in receiving, processing and referring complaints
concerning sexual abuse of minors by clergy to civil authorities and
victims/survivors to counseling professionals or services.
The diocese had an advisory misconduct commission in place since the
early 1990s. A new Review Board was appointed in 2003. It consists of nine
members including: a woman with a Master of Arts degree in social work and
early childhood development, a woman with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
family life, a parishioner and real estate broker, a woman with Master of
Arts degrees in counseling and theological studies, a Girl Scout leader, a
nurse practitioner and teacher with a Master of Arts degree, a
priest/pastor with a Bachelor of Arts degree, a retired licensed social
worker who holds a Masters degree in Social Work and was director of a
social service agency, and a Ph. D. clinical psychologist. 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 has reported all allegations of sexual abuse
of a minor to civil authorities since the last compliance audit. The
diocese has complied with all applicable civil laws with respect to
reporting allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities. The
diocese has established effective liaison with civil authorities to ensure
that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations occurs in all
such cases. The diocese cooperates with civil authorities in reporting
allegations in which the victim/survivor is no longer a minor. In all such
cases, the diocese advises the victim/survivor of his or her right to
report an allegation of past sexual 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 accordance with canon law, the
diocesan policy provides that the offending priest or deacon be
permanently removed from ministry. The diocese offers professional
assistance to the offending priest or deacon.
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 the accused 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 accused offender to celebrate Mass
publicly, administer the sacraments or 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 fully implemented a "safe environment"
education program as it pertains to volunteers and employees. The
educational programs for children include: Child Lures, the Michigan
Model and Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: Making Safe Choices;
the educational program for parents, ministers, educators and others
includes Child Protection Issues, but is ongoing and extensive as
are the programs for children. The diocese has clear and well publicized
standards of conduct for persons in positions of trust with regard to
sexual abuse of minors. The diocese conducts background evaluations which
can be articulated for all diocesan personnel who have regular contact
with minors, using appropriate law enforcement resources where
permissible. 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 transferred a
priest who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse made against him
to another diocese for residence. This individual resides part of the year
outside the Gaylord area and the bishop of the other diocese has been
advised of all of the details by Bishop Cooney.
The bishop, or his designee, has coordinated with major superiors of
men with a presence in the diocese in 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 of Gaylord was found to be compliant with
all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People.
The following is submitted as reflective of this diocese’s/eparchy’s
advancement in the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of
Children and Young People. Each example exceeds what is required by
the Charter.
The Diocese of Gaylord has made extensive use of local and state law
enforcement agencies to conduct multiple on-site fingerprint and
background checks on scheduled dates at local parishes, resulting in an
extraordinarily high rate of completion of those requirements pursuant to
Article 13 of the Charter.
The Diocese of Gaylord has been resourceful in seeking out and
obtaining the services and expertise of local and state agency counselors
and professionally credentialed persons to assist in providing safe
environment training to diocesan personnel and at parish schools pursuant
to Article 12 of the Charter.