2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire
Bishop John J. McCormack
Audit Conducted
8/9-8/13/2004
Previous Audit Conducted 9/1-9/5/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of August 9 – 13, 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, Joseph P. Naff, who is
a licensed clinical social worker with a Masters degree who has been
clinical director for New Hampshire Catholic Charities since 1999. The
diocese established in 1999 a Review Board which consists of 8 members.
The members include an attorney, psychiatrist, retired police chief,
pastor/canon lawyer, Congregational minister, and health care facility
maintenance director and two women with children. The Board serves as a
confidential consultative body to the bishop.
The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are in printed form, and
are the subject of periodic public announcements. The diocese has entered
into 26 confidentiality agreements during the audit period at the request
of the victim/survivor. Some of these individuals reported prior to this
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 not fully implemented a "safe
environment" education program. The educational program for children was
the subject of a Required Action; the educational program for parents is
Talking with Your Children about Abuse; 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 for residence, without
providing the proper notification to the new diocese of residence.
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 this compliance audit,
the diocese was found to be compliant with all articles of the Charter
for the Protection of Children and Young People with the exception of
Article number 12. The following Required Action was issued:
REQUIRED ACTION 1 (Article 12)
The diocese will implement a Safe Environment Program which assures
that the children are trained and the program captures the number of
children trained.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Diocese of Manchester had satisfactorily
completed the required action. The diocese is found to be compliant with
all Articles of the Charter for the Protection on Children and Young
People.
In December 2003, the Diocese announced the implementation of
Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal: The Protection of Children and
Young People: Policy and Procedures (“Policy”), the revised policy of
the Diocese on addressing sexual abuse of minors. The Policy was made
effective March 19, 2004. Among other things, the Policy provided for the
establishment of a Safe Environment Council and Safe Environment
Coordinators in every diocesan parish and school to involve as many people
as possible in the protection of children and young people in the Church
in New Hampshire.
The Safe Environment Council
In February 2004, Bishop John B. McCormack appointed a Safe
Environment Council to assist the Office of Ministerial Conduct in
matters associated with the Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal
Policy. The Safe Environment Council consists of one representative from
each of nine deaneries recommended by the Dean and appointed by the Bishop
to a three year term. Among other duties, the Safe Environment Council
works on the development of practical procedures to implement policies;
participates in and conducts training for parishes in deaneries; assists
in verifying that parishes within deaneries are fulfilling their
responsibilities under the Policy; and assists the Office of Ministerial
Conduct in identifying programs and initiatives that would further promote
and ensure a safe environment in the Catholic Church in New Hampshire.
Seven of the nine members of the Safe Environment Council appointed by
Bishop McCormack in 2004 are volunteers. Two of the members have
backgrounds in law enforcement; three members are employed in the mental
health field; several have experience in education; one is a Director of
Religious Education; and the majority of members have experience working
or volunteering in parishes and/or Catholic schools.
Safe Environment Coordinators
The Safe Environment Coordinator assists the diocesan parish or school
in ensuring that the Policy is fully implemented in the parish or school.
Among other duties, the Safe Environment Coordinator schedules sexual
abuse awareness training sessions; distributes the Policy and Code of
Conduct to all employees and volunteers; ensures that employees and
volunteers have completed all applicable background screening and training
requirements; and submits compliance reports to the Office for Ministerial
Conduct.
During the months of May and June, orientation sessions were held in
each of the nine deaneries for Safe Environment Coordinators. Safe
Environment Council members conducted additional orientation sessions for
those who were unable to be present at the scheduled sessions.
Although the Policy was not implemented until March 2004, all of the
diocesan Catholic schools and nearly every parish have appointed Safe
Environment Coordinators. Many of the Coordinators are volunteers.
There are many valuable benefits to the development of both the
diocesan Safe Environment Council and the parish/Catholic school Safe
Environment Coordinators. These include:
more effective implementation of the Policy and Code
throughout the Diocese;
broader and more effective ongoing
consultation and collaboration with the laity;
enhanced “buy in” by
the laity in parishes and Catholic schools to making a commitment to a
safe environment a permanent aspect of the Catholic culture in New
Hampshire;
greater ability to have persons who can speak to the
magnitude and depth of the commitment of the Diocese to a safe
environment culture; and
provision of an efficient and
effective model for complementary collaboration between clergy and laity
at the diocesan, parish, and Catholic school level.
On January 17, 2004, Joseph P. Naff, LICSW, Director, Office for
Healing and Pastoral Care, hosted a Day of Wholeness and
Spirituality for adult survivors of child sexual abuse. The retreat
was held at a non-Church facility and was conducted by Paul Ashton,
pastoral associate with experience in assisting survivors of child sexual
abuse, and Gail Kennedy-Haines of Bridges (Sexual Assault Support
Services). The day was designed to allow survivors to share, learn and
explore with others who share a similar journey toward healing and
wholeness and to strengthen their spirituality through discussion,
activity, reflection, and mutual support.
Mr. Naff invited all those people who had reported to the Diocese,
either recently or in the past, that they were sexually abused by clergy.
With respect to those survivors who had made reports through their
attorneys, Mr. Naff forwarded the invitations to the survivors through
their legal counsel. Mr. Naff extended over 250 invitations to survivors,
and twelve people attended the event, offered at no charge to
participants.
The January Day of Wholeness and Spirituality was so successful
and well received that Mr. Naff hosted a second retreat on June 5, 2004.
Mr. Naff invited to this follow-up retreat all those who attended the
January retreat, as well as other survivors who expressed an interest in
attending. The retreat was held in the same location, and seven people
attended. The focus of this retreat was on spirituality and wholeness and
recovery from sexual abuse.
Because of the success of these retreats, Mr. Naff has scheduled a
third retreat on February 12, 2005. He has invited all those people who
have made reports to the Diocese, either recently or in the past, that
they were sexually abused by clerics.
The goal of the pastoral ministry to adult survivors of child sexual
abuse, especially to those abused by church personnel, is to assist them
in seeking healing from the Lord in and from the Church. The ultimate goal
is to ensure that every survivor is heard, assisted, and optimally
provided a parish community in which they can continue their journey of
faith with the Lord. The model developed in the Diocese of Manchester
acknowledges the unique nature of the journey of each survivor while also
recognizing the assistance that solidarity with other adult survivors and
the wider Church provides them. Finally, the active presence of adult
survivors in the life and ministry of the Church has already proven to be
a treasured gift to all the Christian faithful in New Hampshire.
Since 2003, Mr. Joseph P. Naff, LICSW has been responsible for the
development and oversight of Bethany: A Place of Healing and New
Life, a mutual help support group for adult survivors of childhood
sexual abuse. Bethany is offered in several locations throughout the
Diocese of Manchester. In December 2003, the Diocese received a
commendation for this initiative.
Mutual support is a key component in the effort to seek and find
healing from the Lord. The Diocese seeks to provide a safe and
confidential environment for facilitated discussion among adult survivors
and persons who can assist them with pastoral and clinical expertise.
In 2003, seventeen people brought a lawsuit against Bishop Guertin High
School, a non-diocesan Catholic school operated by the Brothers of the
Sacred Heart, alleging that they were sexually abused when they attended
the school. Although the Diocese of Manchester was not involved in the
lawsuits, in October 2003, Bishop John B. McCormack sent each of the
plaintiffs a letter through their legal counsel, offering to meet with
them and to take advantage of the services of the diocesan Office for
Healing and Pastoral Care.
In addition, in December 2003, Bishop McCormack sent letters to all
persons who had made reports to the Diocese that they had been sexually
abused, whether they had made the reports recently or many years prior to
implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People. In his letter, Bishop McCormack extended an offer to meet and
do what he could to assist them in their healing. He also extended an
invitation to contact and take advantage of the services offered by Joseph
P. Naff, LICSW, Director, Office for Healing and Pastoral Care.
This effort is part of the ongoing desire of Bishop McCormack to assume
pastoral responsibility for any person who may have been harmed as a minor
in New Hampshire, notwithstanding that the harm may have occurred years
before his installation as Bishop of Manchester or that the harm may have
occurred in the context of the ministry of a religious institute. This
effort has deepened the restoration of trust in church leadership by these
survivors and their attorneys. It also provided an opportunity for
substantive dialogue between Bishop McCormack’s delegate and the
leadership of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.