2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota
Archbishop Harry J. Flynn
Previous Audit Conducted June
2- June 5, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of August 2 – August 5, 2004.
The Archdiocese has 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. Of the eighteen new victims who came forward this audit period,
all are receiving outreach from the Archdiocese. The Archbishop 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 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, Phyllis Willerscheidt ,
who has a social services and communications background and has held the
position of VAC for 13 years within the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese
established in 1994 a Review Board which consists of 10 members. The
members include clergy, lawyers, nurses, doctors, social workers and
educators. The Board serves as a confidential consultative body to the
Archbishop/bishop.
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 confidentiality
agreement during the audit period.
The Archdiocese reported all allegations of
sexual abuse of a minor to public authorities 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 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
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. The current code of pastoral
conduct is in final draft stage and was reviewed by auditors. It will be
distributed in the fall of 2004. 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 not fully implemented and documented
a "safe environment" education program. A required action was issued to
the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese has clear and well publicized standards
of conduct for persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse.
These are incorporated with the draft of the code of pastoral conduct
which will be distributed in the fall of 2004. 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/eparchy for residence,
without providing the proper notification to the new
Archdiocese/diocese/eparchy of residence.
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 participated 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 with the
exception of Article number 12. The following Required Action was/were
issued:
REQUIRED ACTION 1 (Article 12) – Each parish
(Pastor) is permitted to establish its own training program and there is
no accurate method to determine who has received the requisite training or
how many individuals remained to be trained.
The Archdiocese must
establish a method to verify that all Charter related individuals
(clergy, children, educators, employees and volunteers) have received safe
environment training.
Compliance with the Charter as
of December 31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Archdiocese
of St. Paul and Minneapolis had completed the required action. The
archdiocese is found to be compliant with all articles in the Charter
for the Protection of Children and Young People.