2004 Audit Executive Summary: of
Peoria
Bishop Daniel R. Jenky
Previous Audit Conducted
8/18-21/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 12/13-17/2004.
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 Diocese has a victim assistance coordinator, Ann Slaughter, who is
an experienced sexual abuse counselor. The Diocese established in 2002 a
Review Board which consists of ten members. The members include one
psychologist, two physicians, one teacher, one civil attorney, one civil
official, one sexual abuse victim, one sexual abuse counselor, and two
clergy members. 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 would have reported all allegations of sexual
abuse of a minor to public authorities however there were none 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. 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.
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 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 assist and
support all parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct
involving minors.
The Diocese has implemented a "safe environment"
education program, however, at the time of the audit it could not be
determined how many children (enrolled in Religious Education and Public
School Religion Classes), employees, and volunteers they had, nor could it
be determined how many had been trained. A Required Action was issued. The
educational program for children is Virtus – “Protecting God’s Children”
“Touching Safety”; the educational program for parents is Virtus –
“Protecting God’s Children for Parents”; the educational program for
ministers, educators, and others is Virtus –“ 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. However, the Diocese was not able
to furnish the number for employees or volunteers who are required to have
evaluations conducted, nor was it able to identify the number of employees
and volunteers who have had evaluations completed. A Required Action was
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 not
transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of
sexual abuse made against him to another diocese/eparchy 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 with the exception of Articles numbered 12 and 13. The
following Required Actions were issued:
REQUIRED ACTION # 1 (Article 12) Safe Environment Training
Provide the number for children and youth who are enrolled in Religious
Education and Public School Religion Classes, the number of employees, and
the number of volunteers required by the Charter to receive safe
environment training and the number who have received such training. Also
provide a schedule for the completion of training of those individuals who
have not received the training.
REQUIRED ACTION # 2 (Article 13) Background Investigations
Provide the number of employees and volunteers who are required by the
Charter to receive background evaluations, and the number of
employees and volunteers who have received such evaluations. Also provide
a schedule for the completion of background investigations for those
employees and volunteers who have not had them done.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004.
As of December 31, 2004, the Diocese of Peoria had satisfactorily
completed the required actions. The diocese is found to be compliant with
all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People.