2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Archdiocese of Newark
Archbishop John J. Myers, J.C.D., DD
Audit Conducted
10/04 – 08/2004
Previous Audit Conducted
09/15-18/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of October 04-08, 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 some victims/survivors who have reported allegations of abuse
since the last compliance audit, as allowed by their policy. The
Archbishop or his delegate has directed 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, Julie M. Willis,
who is a licensed clinical social worker and certified school social
worker. The Archdiocese established in 1993 a Review Board which consists
of fourteen members. The members include six people who possess law
enforcement/investigative backgrounds, four attorneys, one Ph.D
psychologist, one religious and two priests, one of whom is a canon
lawyer. 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 any confidentiality agreements during the
audit period.
The Archdiocese reported all allegations of sexual abuse
of a minor to public authorities 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 “Virtus-Teaching Touching Safety” and the New Jersey “The Child Assault
Prevention” program; the educational program for parents is
“Virtus-Protecting God’s Children”; 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 Archdiocese
has clear and well publicized standards of conduct for persons in
positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. The Archdiocese does not
conduct background evaluations for all Archdiocesan and parish personnel
who have regular contact with minors, using appropriate law enforcement
resources where permissible. A Required Action was issued. 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 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 with the exception of Article number 13. The following Required
Action was issued:
REQUIRED ACTION # 1 Article 13 Background
Investigations
Provide the exact number of priests and deacons
in the Archdiocese with access to children and young people. Provide the
exact number of priests and deacons with access to children and young
people who have had background investigations conducted and provide a
schedule for the completion of backgrounds, to include criminal recode
checks, for all priests and deacons who have not yet received them.
Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter
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 with the exception of Article number 13. The
following Required Action was issued:
REQUIRED ACTION # 1 Article 13 Background Investigations
Provide the exact number of priests and deacons in the Archdiocese with
access to children and young people. Provide the exact number of priests
and deacons with access to children and young people who have had
background investigations conducted and provide a schedule for the
completion of backgrounds, to include criminal recode checks, for all
priests and deacons who have not yet received them.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Archdiocese of Newark had satisfactorily
completed the required action. The archdiocese is found to be compliant
with all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and
Young People.