2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Steubenville
Bishop R. Daniel Conlon
Audit Conducted 11/29 –
12/02/2004
Previous Audit Conducted 10/06 – 09/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of November 29 through December 2, 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 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, Msgr.
Kurt Kemo, who is the Vicar General of the Diocese. He refers all
victims/survivors to “Assistance Coordinators” in the most convenient
location to the victim/survivor. These “Assistance Coordinators” are
professionally trained and licensed counselors, psychologists, or social
workers. The Diocese established in 2003 a Review Board which consists of
seven members. The members include a judge, a prosecutor, the director of
a juvenile facility, a dentist, two licensed clinical counselors, and a
priest. 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 are on the Diocesan web site, 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 offer 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 fully implemented a "safe
environment" education program. The educational program for children is
“Safe Environment Program”; the educational program for parents is “Safe
Environment Program”; the educational program for ministers is “Safe
Environment Program”; the educational program for educators is “Safe
Environment Program”; and the educational program for others is “Safe
Environment 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 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 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.