2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Paterson
Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli, STD, SSL, DD
Previous Audit
Conducted 8/18 - 20/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 8/23 26/2004.
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 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 Diocese has a victim assistance coordinator Peggy Zanello, who is a
State of New Jersey certified Domestic Violence Therapist with multiple
degrees and 34 years of counseling experience. The Diocese established in
2002 a Review Board consisting of 9 members. The members include the Vicar
General of the Diocese, a retired police detective Lieutenant who handled
cases of sexual abuse of minors, two canon lawyers, two experts in family
therapy, a priest psychologist, a public school principal and a lay woman
who is also SNAP member. 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 entered into one confidentiality agreement concerning one
element of the agreement during the audit period at the request of the
victim/survivor.
The Diocese reported all allegations of sexual abuse
of a minor to public authorities since the last compliance audit. 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. In this regard, the Chief Assistant Prosecutor for Passaic County
commented that if all other communities were as cooperative as the
Diocese, their case load would be greatly reduced. 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 not
initiated until the civil authorities agree. 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 accused 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 a 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 does 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 (from kindergarten
through grade 6) is the Child Assault Prevention Program (CAP) partially
funded by the State of New Jersey. Thirty-four of the 56 schools in the
Diocese have received this training. Twelve more are being funded by the
state and the remaining 11 are to be funded by the Diocese. The
educational program for parents is VIRTUS; the educational program for
ministers is VIRTUS; the educational program for educators is VIRTUS and,
in addition, educators in the elementary schools also receive CAP; and the
educational program for others is VIRTUS. 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. During the
audit period, it was determined that 7 priests and 1 deacon had not yet
submitted to a fingerprint check necessary to complete a background
investigation. In addition, the Diocese was unable to account for the
exact number of lay employees and volunteers who have had their background
and fingerprint checks completed. Two required action forms were issued.
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 transferred a
priest who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse made against him
to another diocese for residence during this audit period. While the
allegations were not prosecutable, the priest was sent back to Bolivia and
the information about him was provided to the Bishop in Bolivia.
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
participated 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 with the exception of
Article number 13. The following Required Actions were issued:
REQUIRED ACTION #1 (Article #13) The Diocese will insure that
the 7 priests and 1 deacon have their fingerprints checked in accordance
with the diocesan policy for background investigations.
REQUIRED ACTION #2 (Article #13) The Diocese will determine
and furnish the number of lay employees and volunteers who have undergone
fingerprint checks and background investigations in accordance with
diocesan policy.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Diocese of Paterson had satisfactorily
completed the required actions. The diocese is found to be in compliance
with all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and
Young People.