2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas
Archbishop Patrick F. Flores, DD
Previous Audit Conducted
September 1 – 5, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of November 29 – December 3, 2004.
The Archdiocese does have a policy on
the prevention of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The Archdiocese
provides outreach designed to offer pastoral care to victims/survivors and
their families. The Archbishop or his representative has met with or has
offered to meet with all victims/survivors who have reported allegations
of abuse since the last compliance audit. The Archbishop or his delegate
has directed outreach to all faith communities in which the sexual abuse
occurred. The Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese has a victim assistance
coordinator, Judy Anderson Perillo, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree
in Chemistry, a Master of Arts in Education, and extensive professional
training in social work, child welfare, and abuse prevention. The
Archdiocese established a Crisis Intervention Committee in 1985, and an
Archdiocesan Review Board in 2003. Both the Crisis Intervention Committee
and the Archdiocesan Review Board consists of 11 members each. The Crisis
Intervention Committee includes one person with a Ph.D in counseling, one
with a Master’s Degree in counseling, three members with Master’s Degrees
in marriage and family therapy, five members with Master’s Degrees in
theological studies and one attorney. Six of these members have expertise
in the area of the treatment of the sexual abuse of minors.
The
Archdiocesan Review Board members include a director of a group of local
governments who has experience with child safety issues, a criminal
district judge who was formerly an attorney for the Texas Department of
Welfare, a civil attorney, a former city councilwoman, two female parents,
two male parents, a woman from the rural area of the Archdiocese, a former
county sheriff and current State Representative, and a Methodist minister.
The Archdiocesan Review Board serves as a confidential consultative body
to the Archbishop.
The procedures for making a complaint of abuse
are readily available in printed form, and are the subject of periodic
public announcements. The Archdiocese has not entered into any
confidentiality agreement s during the audit period.
he Archdiocese would
have reported all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public
authorities however there were none since the last compliance audit. The
Archdiocese complies with all applicable civil laws with respect to the
reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities.
The Archdiocese has established effective liaison with civil authorities,
ensuring that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations will
occur. The Archdiocese cooperates with public authorities about reporting
in cases when the person is no longer a minor. In all instances, the
Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese 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
Archdiocese 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
Archdiocesan policies provide that the offending priest or deacon be
permanently removed from ministry. The Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese supplies canonical
counsel to a priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from
the clerical state has not been applied, the Archdiocese directs the
offender to lead a life of prayer and penance. The Archdiocese does not
allow the offender to celebrate Mass publicly, to administer the
sacraments, or to present himself publicly as a priest.
The
Archdiocese has established clear and well-publicized standards of
ministerial behavior for priests and deacons. A communications policy is
in effect which reflects the Archbishop’s pledge to be open and
transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children. The
Archdiocese does assist and support all parish communities directly
affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors.
The Archdiocese has fully implemented a
"safe environment" education program. The educational program for children
is “Child Lures” and “YelloDyno”; the educational program for parents,
ministers, educators and others is an Archdiocesan designed program based
on “Child Lures” and “YelloDyno.” The Archdiocese has clear and well
publicized standards of conduct for persons in positions of trust with
regard to sexual abuse. The Archdiocese conducts background evaluations
for all Archdiocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with
minors, using appropriate law enforcement resources where permissible. The
Archdiocese employs adequate screening and evaluative techniques in
deciding the fitness of candidates for ordination.
The Archdiocese
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 Archdiocese 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
Archbishop, 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 Archdiocese has had
the opportunity to participate in research with other institutions in the
area of sexual abuse. 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 Archdiocese was found to be compliant with
all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People.