2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Archdiocese of Miami
Archbishop John C. Favalora
Previous Audit Conducted
September 1-5, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of October 4-8, 2004.
The Archdiocese has a policy on the
prevention of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The Archdiocese provides
outreach designed to offer pastoral care to victims/survivors and their
families. The Archbishop 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 Archbishop or his delegate has had
outreach to all faith communities in which the sexual abuse occurred. The
Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese has a victim assistance coordinator,
Vicki Kaufmann, who is a state certified professional counselor and
certified family life educator who now has over 23 years experience in
counseling in a family service setting. The Archdiocese established in
2002 a Review Board which consists of five members. The members include a
Dean of Students at the University of Miami School of Law; a Licentiate in
Canon Law and teacher; a medical doctor; a psychologist and professor of
mental health counseling at Florida Atlantic University and a pastor of a
local parish. The Board serves as a confidential consultative body to the
Archbishop.
The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are
readily available in printed form, and are the subject of periodic public
announcements. The Archdiocese has not entered into a confidentiality
agreement during the audit period.
The Archdiocese would have reported all
allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public authorities however there
were none since the last compliance audit. The Archdiocese complies with
all applicable civil laws with respect to the reporting of allegations of
sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities. The Archdiocese has
established effective liaison with civil authorities, ensuring that an
open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations will occur. The
Archdiocese cooperates with public authorities about reporting in cases
when the person is no longer a minor. In all instances, the Archdiocese
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 Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese 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 Archdiocesan policies
provide that the offending priest or deacon be permanently removed from
ministry. The Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese supplies canonical counsel to a priest or
deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state has
not been applied, the Archdiocese directs the offender to lead a life of
prayer and penance. The Archdiocese does not allow the offender to
celebrate Mass publicly, to administer the sacraments, or to present
himself publicly as a priest.
The Archdiocese has established
clear and well-publicized standards of ministerial behavior for priests
and deacons. A communications policy is in effect which reflects the
Archbishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the
sexual abuse of children. The Archdiocese does assist and support all
parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving
minors.
The
Archdiocese has fully implemented a "safe environment" education program.
The educational program for children is “Family Life” and the additional
program “Touching Safety” will be implemented in January 2005; the
educational program for parents is “Protecting God’s Children” and the
additional program “Teaching Touching Safety” will be implemented in
January 2005; the educational program for ministers is “Protecting God’s
Children” and the additional program “Teaching Touching Safety” will be
implemented in January 2005; the educational program for educators is
“Protecting God’s Children” and the additional program “Teaching Touching
Safety” will be implemented in January 2005; and the educational program
for others is “Protecting God’s Children” and the additional program
“Teaching Touching Safety” will be implemented in January 2005. The
Archdiocese has clear and well publicized standards of conduct for persons
in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. The Archdiocese
conducts background evaluations for all Archdiocesan and parish personnel
who have regular contact with minors, using appropriate law enforcement
resources where permissible. The Archdiocese employs adequate screening
and evaluative techniques in deciding the fitness of candidates for
ordination.
The Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese
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 Archbishop, or his designee, has coordinated
with major superiors of men with a presence in the Archdiocese concerning
addressing the issue of allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy.
The Archdiocese has not had the opportunity to participate in research
with other institutions in the area of sexual abuse. The Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese was found to be compliant with all articles of the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.