2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota
Bishop John C. Nienstedt
Previous Audit Conducted
September 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 diocesan victim assistance coordinator (VAC) is
Christopher Loetscher. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a
Master of Arts degree in Theology and has extensive experience working
with children, youth and parents. He has worked at the Diocesan Pastoral
Center for 17 years. There are four women assistant VAC’s from the four
quarters of the diocese who attended a Victim Advocate Training program
sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Churches and the Archdiocese of St.
Paul and Minneapolis during October 9-11, 2003.
The diocese
established a Review Board in 1993 that was re-constituted in 2002. The
Board consists of seven members, five men and two women, including an
attorney, a psychiatrist, a social worker, a family physician, a high
school principal and two priests that are canon lawyers. 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 did not
enter into any confidentiality agreements during the audit period.
The
diocese did not report any allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to civil
authorities since the last compliance audit because no such complaints
were received by the diocese during this audit period. 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 civil 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 the accused 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 assists and supports all parish communities directly affected
by ministerial misconduct involving minors.
The diocese has fully implemented a "safe
environment" education program. The educational program for children is
“The Safe Environment Program for the Diocese of New Ulm” and “Creating
Safe and Secure Places.” The educational program for parents, ministers,
educators and others is “The Safe Environment Program for the Diocese of
New Ulm.” 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 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
not had the opportunity to participate 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.