2004 Audit Executive Summary:
St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago
Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath
Previous Audit Conducted
September 8-10, 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 has a policy
which provides outreach designed to offer pastoral care to
victims/survivors and their families. There is a policy in which the
bishop or his representative will offer to meet with all victims/survivors
who may report allegations of abuse. The bishop or his delegate will
direct outreach to all faith communities in which sexual abuse may occur.
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, Dr.
Oommen Joseph, a medical doctor who has previously directed a drug and
alcohol abuse center. The diocese established in 2003 a Review Board which
consists of nine members. The members include a family practitioner for
drug and alcohol abuse, an officer for a state commissioner, an English
professor, three medical doctors, an attorney, a businessman, and the
diocesan Vicar General. 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 did not have
any allegations of sexual abuse of a minor since the last compliance audit
therefore no reports were made to local authorities. The diocese has a
policy which requires its priests, parishioners and mission members to
comply with all applicable civil laws with respect to the reporting of
allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities. The diocese
has not independently established liaison with civil authorities in all
the locations in which they are represented but relies on the Latin host
diocese for this type of liaison. The diocese has a policy stating that
they will cooperate with public authorities about reporting in cases when
the person is no longer a minor. In all instances, the diocese will advise
victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by a
member of the clergy to civil authorities.
If an allegation of
sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon is received, a preliminary
investigation, in harmony with canon law, will be initiated. If a
preliminary investigation so indicates, the diocese will notify the
Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and apply the precautionary
measures mentioned in CIC, canon 1722, or CCEO, canon 1473. If accusations
against a priest or a deacon are proven to be unfounded, the diocese will
take steps to restore the good name of the priest or deacon.
If
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 will offer professional assistance to
offending priests or deacons.
In every case involving canonical
penalties, the processes provided for in canon law will be observed.
Accused clergy will be encouraged to retain the assistance of civil and
canonical counsel. If necessary, the diocese will supply canonical counsel
to a priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from the
clerical state has not been applied, the diocese will direct the offender
to lead a life of prayer and penance. The diocese will 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 will 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, parents, ministers and volunteers is particular to
the Latin diocese in which parishioners and mission members are located.
The diocese has clear and well publicized standards of conduct for persons
in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. The diocese has
conducted background evaluations for all diocesan and parish personnel who
have regular contact with minors completed by the host Latin diocese in
which they have a presence. The diocese does not have any candidates for
ordination since all of their priests are trained in India.
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 has coordinated with bishops of Latin dioceses 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.