2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles
Bishop Robert J Shaheen
Previous Audit Conducted 9/29
–10/2/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 11/8-12/2004
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. It has not been necessary for the Bishop or his representative
has not met with, or offered to meet with all victims/survivors of abuse
because since the last compliance audit there have been no allegations.
The Bishop or his delegate to offer outreach to all faith communities in
which the sexual abuse occurred because there have been no allegations of
sexual abuse. 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,
Dr. Nancy Brown, who has a Ph.D in clinical psychology with an emphasis in
child developmental psychology. The Eparchy established in September 2003
a Review Board, which consists of nine members. The members include three
priests, one educator, one lawyer, one family counselor and three doctors
of psychology. 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 had no
allegations of sexual abuse of a minor 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
would advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of
abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities if they receive
allegations.
When an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a
priest or deacon is received, a preliminary investigation, in harmony with
canon law, would be initiated. If a preliminary investigation so
indicates, the Eparchy would notify the Congregation for the Doctrine of
Faith and would apply 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 would take 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 would offer professional assistance to offending priests or
deacons.
In every case involving canonical penalties, the
processes provided for in canon law would be observed. Accused clergy
would be encouraged to retain the assistance of civil and canonical
counsel. When necessary, the Eparchy would supply canonical counsel to a
priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from the clerical
state is not been applied, the Eparchy would direct the offender to lead a
life of prayer and penance. The Eparchy would 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 would assist and support all parish communities
directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors.
The Eparchy has fully
implemented a "safe environment" education program. The educational
program for children is “Virtus Programs: Protecting God's Children”; the
educational program for parents is a self generated eparchial program; the
educational program for ministers is self generated based on “Virtus
Programs: Protecting God's Children”; the educational program for
educators and others is “Virtus Programs: Protecting God's Children”. The
Eparchy has clear and well-publicized standards of conduct for persons in
positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. The Eparchy conducts
background evaluations for all eparchial and parish personnel who have
regular contact with minors, using appropriate law enforcement resources
where permissible. 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 any 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 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.