2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Venice
Bishop John Nevins
Previous Audit Conducted
10/13-17/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of Sept.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 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 victim assistance coordinator, Beverly
Zeiss, who is a registered nurse and holds a degree as Doctor of Ministry
in Pastoral Counseling. She has been Director of Life Issues at Epiphany
Cathedral for eight years and for three years has served as Director of
Bereavement for the Diocese of Venice. The diocese established in 1995 a
Review Board which consists of nine members. The members include a retired
USAF colonel, a retired judge, a nurse, a social worker, a retired law
enforcement officer, a college professor and three priests. 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 confidentiality agreements during the audit
period.
The diocese has a policy to report all allegations of
sexual abuse of a minor to public authorities since the last compliance
audit but no allegations were received. 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 provides 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 not
fully implemented a "safe environment" education program. A Required
Action was issued. The educational program for children is “Safe
Environment Training”; the educational program for parents is “Safe
Environment Training”; the educational program for ministers is “Safe
Environment Training”; the educational program for educators is “Safe
Environment Training”; and the educational program for others is “Safe
Environment Training”. 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/eparchy for residence
since the last audit.
The bishop has had communication with major
superiors of men who have representatives in the diocese. 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 with the exception of
Article number twelve (#12). The following Required Action was
issued:
REQUIRED ACTION # 1 (Article 12) – The diocese will
determine the total number of volunteers and employees that have regular
contact with children. The diocese will also determine the number within
each of those groups (volunteers and employees) who have and have not
received safe environment training and complete their
training.
Compliance with the Charter as of December
31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Diocese of Venice had
completed the required action. The diocese is found to be compliant with
all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People.
RESPONSE FROM DIOCESE/EPARCHY:
A census
conducted subsequent to the audit of the Venice Diocese revealed the
following (these numbers do not include priests, deacons or educators
whose numbers were reported separately in the audit):
Number of
employees who have regular contact with children 155
Number of these
employees who have attended safe environment training 133
Number of
volunteers who have regular contact with children 1833
Number of these
volunteers who have attended safe environment training 1053
Those
22 employees who have regular contact with children and 780 volunteers who
have regular contact with children who have not attended safe environment
training will all be trained by February 19, 2005.