2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado
Bishop Arthur N. Tafoya
Previous Audit Conducted 9/1 –
5/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 9/27/2004 - 10/1/2004.
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 not
directed outreach to all faith communities in which the sexual abuse
occurred. Since the alleged abuse in these various church communities took
place well over two to three decades ago, the Diocese determined that the
parish communities were not “directly affected” within the parameters of
the Charter. The alleged abuse would not be known in these parishes. 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, Jayne
Mazur, who is the Executive Director of Catholic Charities and has a
Master’s Degree in Social Work. The diocese established in 1992 a Review
Board which consists of seven voting members and three advisors. The
voting members include an attorney, a police officer, a retired
superintendent of public schools, a coroner, a victim of non-clergy sexual
abuse, a licensed clinical social worker and a psychologist. The advisors
are the Chancellor, Director of Human Resources and the Diocesan attorney.
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
agreement during the audit period.
The diocese has received no allegations of
sexual abuse of a minor 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 has a policy in
place to 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
Good Touch/Bad Touch; the educational program for parents is Good
Touch/Bad Touch; the educational program for ministers is Good Touch/Bad
Touch; the educational program for educators is Good Touch/Bad Touch; and
the educational program for others is Good Touch/Bad Touch. 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/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 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.