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	Lincoln Catholics Clash over Lack of Participation in Sex Abuse Audit By Erin Andersen Lincoln Journal Star April 29, 2010 http://journalstar.com/news/local/article_d6026f8c-5333-11df-974f-001cc4c002e0.html Forty-four Catholics gathered in front of the Lincoln Diocese on Wednesday evening -- divided by a public sidewalk and their convictions. On one side stood 16 members of Call to Action Nebraska, a group of Catholics calling for "transparency" and urging Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz to participate in the annual sex abuse audits conducted by the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Lincoln Diocese is the only one in the United States that refuses to participate in the audit system established in 2002 to address the issues of sexual abuse of children by clergy. Meanwhile, across the sidewalk, on the front lawn of the Catholic Chancery, stood 28 other Catholics, holding sheets of paper printed with the words "We support our bishop" and "We love our bishop." Separately, they prayed and sang hymns -- neither side's voices overpowering the other's in the gusty winds. Some Bruskewitz supporters said they had no idea why Call to Action members had gathered on Wednesday but, regardless, they want people to know they do not consider Call to Action members Catholic. Mary Quintero, a supporter of the bishop's, called over to the other group and asked Call to Action members "to come home." "It's a short walk to home," Quintero urged. But the Call To Action members shook their heads. "We were told we weren't welcome," Patty Hawk explained. Call to Action Catholics and the Lincoln Diocese differ on several issues, including the role of women in the church and the freedom to express opinions different from those of Bruskewitz. But Wednesday's gathering was to reiterate the call they have made almost yearly since 2002, when the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops issued its Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The charter outlines 17 areas in which the church must respond to allegations of sexual abuse, promote healing and reconciliation of victims, ensure accountability and protect children in the future. Within the charter are 13 "essential norms" that have been approved by the Vatican and are law for all Catholic churches in the United States. The essential norms outline what churches must do to protect children and address allegations of sexual abuse as soon as they arise. The annual audits check church compliance in 13 of the 17 areas (the other four areas are considered administrative matters left to individual dioceses). The Lincoln Diocese participated in the first audit in 2002 -- which primarily set the groundwork for handling sex abuse accusations in the future -- requiring churches to have a written policy on sexual abuse filed with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "The Diocese of Lincoln has not participated in the audit process since," said Teresa Kettelkamp, executive director of the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection within the U.S. conference of bishops in Washington, D.C. Subsequent audits have looked at compliance with the charter, including the number and nature of sexual abuse allegations for the previous year. Of the 195 dioceses and eparchies (dioceses unique to certain ethnicities), six refused to participate in the 2009 audit process. Lincoln was the only diocese to do so; the other five groups were eparchies with ethnic churches across the United States. "This lack of action by the diocese offers no confidence that the children of Lincoln are being protected from abuse by clergy, church employees or others affiliated with the church," said Rachel Pokora, president of Call to Action Nebraska. "Mere assurances are not enough." Bruskewitz, who was not at the gathering on Wednesday, issued a statement saying the Diocese of Lincoln is in full compliance with all civil and church laws regarding the protection of minors from any kind of abuse. He said the diocese conducts background checks and requires specific education regarding sexual abuse for all employees and volunteers, including clergy. "The audit procedures conducted by the USCCB are an optional tool that any diocese may use but are not obligated to use," Bruskewitz said in his statement. "The Diocese of Lincoln has exercised its option to refrain in participation in the audit, as its application, though perhaps helpful in some dioceses, has not proven to be so in the Diocese of Lincoln." Call to Action's Jim McShane said the bishop's "trust me" stance is not adequate. "Too many of those who have said that proved untrustworthy," he said. And while Call to Action is not insinuating that the Lincoln Diocese is hiding abuse, the group is arguing that without transparency, "there can be no assurance of accountability." "The Lincoln Diocese must not only express concern for children, it must demonstrate it," McShane said. Quintero said the diocese does that -- perhaps better than any other Catholic diocese. "No other diocese is more protected than ours," Quintero said. "We are told to first call authorities and then the diocese." She said it is Bruskewitz's right as bishop to choose not participate in the audit. Mary Berning said she trusts the bishop to make the right decision for the diocese. "He knows more about the process of the audit than we do. If his judgment is that it is not the right process, then he knows. He is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and I stand by his word 100 percent," Berning said. But McShane said that as a Catholic, he has a different take on the matter. "Canon law says we have the obligation to draw to the attention of our pastors what the needs of the congregation are," he said. Contact: eandersen@journalstar.com
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