2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Richmond
Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo
Previous Audit Conducted
August 11-15/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of December 13, 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 any victims/survivors who have made allegations of abuse since
the last compliance audit. The Bishop or his representative 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 three regional victim assistance
coordinators, William Devlin, Niki Mello and Mary Kaye Jacobs who are all
licensed professional counselors with Catholic Charities and are active in
their respective parish communities. The diocesan Review Board was
established in April 2002 and now consists of six members. The members
include a priest, a chancellor, a business manager, a pediatrician, a CEO
and an 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
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 does advise
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. The educational
program for children is “Good Touch, Bad Touch”. The program for
ministers, employees, educators, volunteers and parents is the “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. The diocese
does employ 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. One priest who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse
made against him moved to another diocese for residence on his own accord.
The receiving bishop was advised by the bishop of Richmond.
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.