2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Jackson
Bishop Joseph N. Latino
Previous Audit Conducted October
20 - 24, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of August 30 – September 3, 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, Mrs.
Linda Raff, who holds a Masters in Social Work and has extensive social
service work experience including working with sexual abuse victims. The
diocese established in 1994 a Review Board that consists of six members.
The members include one active and one retired attorney. Three other
members are professionals in the field of psychology, one the director of
a mental health institute, and the other two licensed clinical
psychologists, one in private practice, and the other the chairman of the
psychology department at a local university. The final board member is a
registered nurse with experience dealing with sexually abused minors. Two
diocesan priests, the Vicar General and the Promoter of Justice, attend
meetings of the Review Board but are not voting members. 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 reported all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public
authorities since the last compliance audit. 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, diocesan policy provides that the offending priest or deacon are
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 is a self-developed program that is integrated into
K-12 grades of parochial school and Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
training; the educational program for parents, ministers, educators and
others is “Training the Trainers”. 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 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 the issue of allegations of sexual abuse of minors
by clergy. The diocese is open to participation in research with other
institutions in the area of sexual abuse but has not had the opportunity
to do so. 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 Jackson was found to be compliant with
all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People.