2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin
Bishop David A. Zubik
Previous Audit Conducted 10/20 –
24/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 10/11-15/2004.
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 a victim assistance coordinator, Sr. Mary
Bride Grubbs who is also the Chancellor. She has a Bachelor’s degree in
Home Economics Education with a minor in English and a Pastoral Studies
degree. She worked in a nursing home and was a Pastoral Associate in a
parish as well as being a Parish Director of Pastoral Services. The
diocese established in 2002 a Review Board which consists of seven
members. The members include an independent clinical social worker, a
psychiatric advanced practitioner nurse, a retired police detective, a
woman religious, a priest and two attorneys, not employed by the diocese.
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 received
no allegations of sexual abuse of a minor since the last compliance audit
and therefore there was no need to make any reports to public authorities.
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, 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 does assist and
support all parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct
involving minors.
The diocese has fully implemented a "safe environment"
education program. The educational program for children in grades K-6 is
adapted materials from the Dioceses of Mobile, AL and Venice, FL and for
children in grades 7-12 is “Creating Safe and Sacred Places” by St. Mary’s
Press; the educational program for parents is VIRTUS “Protecting God’s
Children”; the educational program for ministers is VIRTUS “Protecting
God’s Children”; the educational program for educators is VIRTUS
“Protecting God’s Children”; and the educational program for others is
VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children”. 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. 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.