2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Palm Beach
Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito
Previous Audit Conducted
09/22-09/26/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 10/18-10/22/2004.
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. While there have been no incidents of
sexual abuse by the clergy during this audit period, diocesan policy
provides for the Bishop or his delegate to direct outreach to all faith
communities in which sexual abuse may occur. 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, Ms. Terry Fretterd, who holds a Masters
degree in Counseling and has extensive experience in counseling and
conducting crisis counseling workshops. The Diocese established in
September, 2002 a Review Board which consists of ten members. The members
include a priest, a psychiatrist, an attorney, a retired school
administrator, a crime laboratory supervisor, a public relations expert, a
business owner, a physician, a rabbi and a supervisor of child protective
investigations for the Sheriff’s Office. 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 has not entered
into any confidentiality agreements during the audit period.
The
Diocese has had no allegations of sexual abuse of a minor since the last
compliance audit, but diocesan policy provides that should an allegation
be made, there will be immediate reporting to public authorities. 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.
While no allegations
of sexual abuse by a member of Diocese of Palm Beach clergy were received
since the last audit, diocesan policy provides that when an allegation of
sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon is received, a preliminary
investigation, in harmony with canon law, will be initiated. If a
preliminary investigation so indicates, policy calls for the Diocese to
notify the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and to apply the
precautionary measures mentioned in CIC, canon 1722, or CCEO, canon 1473.
Policy provides that should accusations against a priest or a deacon be
proven to be unfounded, the Diocese would take steps to restore the good
name of the priest or deacon.
Diocesan policy provides that 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 offending
priest or deacon will be permanently removed from ministry. The Diocese
offers professional assistance to offending priests or deacons.
Diocesan policy provides that in every case involving canonical
penalties, the processes provided for in canon law will be observed.
Accused clergy are to be encouraged to retain the assistance of civil and
canonical counsel. When necessary, the Diocese would supply canonical
counsel to a priest or deacon.
Policy provides that if the penalty
of dismissal from the clerical state has not been applied, the Diocese
will direct the offender to lead a life of prayer and penance. Policy also
provides that an offender will not be allowed 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 that 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 fully implemented a "safe environment"
education program. The educational program for children is “Touching
Safety”; the educational program for parents is “Protecting God’s Children
for Parents and Guardians”; the educational program for ministers;
educators and others is “Protecting God’s Children for Adults”. 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.