2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Sacramento
Bishop William K. Weigand
Audit Conducted December 13-17,
2004
Previous Audit Conducted June 30-July 4, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of December 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 effected 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 Pastoral Care Coordinator (victim
assistance coordinator), Nancy J. Milton, who is a mediator and was named
in 2002. The Diocese established in 2002 a Review Board which consists of
10 members. The members include a female business professional; an
attorney/mediator who is a former Federal District Court Judge; a social
worker with a Masters degree; a physician; a non-Catholic psychiatrist; a
registered nurse; a attorney; a woman religious; a non-Catholic law
professor and a non-Catholic retired court of appeals judge. 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 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 the 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 safe environment
program for children includes a variety of self generated programs in
addition to KidWISE. The educational program for parents is KidWISE; the
educational program for volunteers, educators, employees, clergy and all
others is a self generated diocesan program. 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 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 Archdiocese 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 during this audit period. The Archdiocese 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.