2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Archbishop Eusebius J. Beltran
Audit Conducted 10/18/2004
– 10/21/2004
Previous Audit Conducted
08/25/2003--08/28//2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of October 18-21, 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
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, Caroline Linehan, who is an educator and child abuse
consultant. The Archdiocese established in 2002 a Review Board which
consists of eight members. The members include three psychologists, a
lawyer, nurse, business executive, director of family life and a priest.
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 would
have reported all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public
authorities however there have been 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 Safe Environment Curriculum; the educational program for parents is
Safe Environment Curriculum; the educational program for ministers is
Reducing Risk of Child Sexual Abuse; the educational program for educators
is Safe Environment Curriculum and Boundaries Training; and the
educational program for others is Reducing Risk of Child Sexual Abuse. 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 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.
- Training Video.
Bilingual training video scripted and
produced (December 2003). Extremely well received by Parish Facilitators
and parishioners.
- Parish Facilitators.
Each parish has designated a parish
facilitator who has a primary role in implementing the Safe Environment
Program. Many of the facilitators are D.R.E.s and Youth Ministers. A
significant number are volunteers. All have been required to attend
mandatory training. They have trained hundreds of employees and
volunteers. Primarily in the evenings, each giving up his/her own free
time to provide a Safe Environment for our children. Without this group
of dedicated people, the implementation of the Safe Environment Program
would not have been implemented.
- Training Guide for Facilitators.
Bilingual “script” with
goals of training, handouts (December 2003). Very well received by
Parish Facilitators.
- Safe Environment Brochures.
Safe Environment Brochure on
reporting abuse developed and published in Spanish and English (November
2003). Very useful tool in training and have received many requests for
copies.
- Safe Environment Committee.
Archdiocesan Safe Environment
Committee formed in for the purpose of enhancing communication between
ministries and to implement compliance with the Charter for the
Protection of Children and Young People (September 2003). Committee
met monthly to discuss issues, questions from Parish Facilitators, work
on procedures, etc. Further, the Committee and individual members made
an exceptional effort to implement the Archdiocesan programs and educate
and inform the parishes. (Timeline of Activities, Resumes of Members and
Minutes of Meetings follow this statement.) Very helpful to ministries
involved in Safe Environment Program.
- Additional Safe Environment Training for Educators, DRE’s and
Youth Ministers.
Boundaries Program presented to all
Archdiocesan School faculty members during the Fall of 2003 and at
Archdiocesan Meeting of DRE's and Youth Ministers. This workshop
has been integrated into the New Teacher Workshop held annually in
August. Bullying and violence prevention training provided to
teachers and materials purchased for all K-8 Catholic schools.
- Progress and Compliance Surveys.
Survey sent to parishes
and schools to assess progress and needs in implementing the background
check procedures, reference checks and training of volunteers (October
2003). A Compliance Survey was developed and sent to all Parish
Facilitators to assess compliance with Safe Environment Program (late
June 2004). These are very useful tools with about 80% return rate to
date. Parishes have had some difficulties with the Compliance Survey
because statistics are not being kept. Surveys will assist Safe
Environment Committee in guiding Parish Facilitators and parishes and in
developing training vehicles.
- Special Training for Youth.
The Youth Office secured the
safe environment office for Summer Camp staff training (June 2004). This
program, tailored to youth and young adults who interact with summer
campers will be integrated into future training sessions for camp
counselors. The young adults appeared to take the issue of safe
environment in a more serious manner than previous.
- Safe Environment Program.
We believe that our program
exceeds what is required by the Charter. It is age-specific and has been
integrated into all Religious Education classes in our schools and
parishes. Through educational and informative outreach efforts to
parents it has been extremely well received.
- Exceptionally Supportive Clergy.
The clergy have
supported this program and insured its successful implementation. They
have provided time and resources within their parishes and request
regular updates on the progress of the Safe Environment program which
are presented at various meetings of the clergy throughout the year.
Without the support of our clergy the Safe Environment Program could not
have been successfully implemented.
- Review Board.
The Review Board provides advise to the
Office of Safe Environment, as needed. The Review Board also requires
regular reports detailing progress in implementing the Safe Environment
Program together with follow-up each meeting. This group of dedicated
professionals and volunteers takes very seriously their role in
carrying out the Charter.
- Selecting a Catholic Elementary School Principal.
Although this guideline was published prior to the last audit, it
demonstrates the Archdiocese’s concern for the safety of its children.
It has been utilized by our schools and it a very good
resource.