2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Joliet
Bishop Joseph L. Imesch
Previous Audit Conducted
9/15/19/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of September 20-24, 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 Francis
Seeley, OSF. She has wide experience and contacts involving psychological
matters. The Diocesan Review Board was established in 1990, and now
consists of eleven members. The members include a retired Circuit Judge, a
member of the States Attorney’s Office, three therapists, an attorney, a
psychologist, a psychiatrist, an educator, a pastor, and a former
investigator with the State Police with wide experience in child sexual
abuse matters. 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, 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 a "safe environment" education program.
The training that remains to be completed has been scheduled. The
educational program for children is “Talking about Touching.” The program
for ministers, employees, educators, volunteers and parents is the Virtus
program “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. Some
background investigations remain to be completed for some educators,
employees, and volunteers and these have been scheduled. The diocese does
employ 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 addressing the issue of
allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The diocese has
participated 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 the audit process, the
Diocese of Joliet was found to complaint with all articles of the
Charter with the exception of Article 13.
Article 13 - Background Investigations
Deficiency:
- Of the 1469 educators in the diocese, 159 have not completed
background investigations.
- Of the 2261 employees in the diocese, 154 have not completed
background investigations.
- Of the 5904 volunteers who have close and sustained contact
children, 49 have not completed background
investigations.
Required Action:Please provide the
time when the educators, employees and volunteers are scheduled to
complete the background investigations.
As of December 31, 2004, the Diocese of Joliet had satisfactorily
completed the required action. The diocese is found to be compliant with
all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People.