Diocese of
Lincoln, Nebraska
The Diocese of Lincoln (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1887, encompasses 39 counties in southern Nebraska. It consists of 136 parishes, 31 elementary and high schools, and one collegiate seminary. Two deacons and 115 active diocesan priests serve a population of 89,412 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend Fabian W. Bruskewitz, who was installed as bishop in 1992, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of October 27-31, 2003. The information presented below represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding necessary corrective actions taken by the Diocese subsequent to the audit will be found in the last paragraph.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Diocese has extended outreach in cases of which it was aware. Although diocesan policy provides for outreach, it was recommended that the Diocese create and publish a policy and set of procedures for the administration of pastoral care to victims/survivors, families, and affected parishes. The bishop’s designee, the vicar general, has met with or offered to meet with the other (of two) alleged victims/survivors of abuse in the Diocese who reported the abuse after June 2002. The instance in which the meeting has not taken place is the result of legal negotiations. The victim assistance coordinator is Fr. Mark Huber, who also serves as chancellor for the Diocese. It was recommended that the bishop review the propriety of having a diocesan official whose duties may conflict with those of a victim assistance coordinator serve in that capacity and that the victim assistance coordinator be afforded appropriate training opportunities. The diocesan review board, consisting of five members, was established in 2003. Board members include one pastor, two former law enforcement officials, a doctor of therapeutic communication, and a pregnancy crisis professional. It was recommended that the bishop issue a clear mandate to the board, encompassing his expectations for the scope of their responsibilities, and also that they be included early in the process after an allegation of abuse is received. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are available in written form, however, they only address reporting to civil authorities instances of observed abuse or neglect of children. It was recommended that procedures be developed and published for the use of individuals wishing to make allegations of sexual abuse of minors by church personnel. There have been no confidentiality agreements entered into by the Diocese since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Diocese has had very few reported incidents of sexual abuse of minors and has cooperated with civil authorities regarding those matters. It was recommended that contact be established with other county attorneys in the diocesan territory for the purpose of establishing policy and procedures for reporting and cooperating in the event an allegation of sexual abuse is received. The Diocese has a procedure in place to advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. The Diocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons. While examples of activity suggesting a policy of openness and transparency in communications regarding sexual abuse of children were observed, no written policy stating the bishop’s commitment exists. It was recommended that such a policy be created and published.

To Ensure Accountability of Procedures
The Diocese has not participated in the research study regarding the “nature and scope” of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. An Instruction was issued to furnish the requested information.

To Protect the Faithful in the Future
The Diocese has procured the videotape Somebody Told and is in the process of making it available to all personnel having regular contact with children. The Diocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. The Diocese has begun the process of conducting background investigations for all newly-hired diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with children. An Instruction was issued to conduct background investigations on all personnel who will be having contact with children, including current employees and volunteers. The Diocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse lodged against him for ministerial or residency purposes to another diocese. The bishop’s delegate, the vicar general, and the major superiors have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a cleric member of a religious institute. The Diocese has not had the opportunity to cooperate with other churches, religious bodies, and institutions of learning in conducting research in the area of sexual abuse of minors. The Diocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination. The Diocese has a systematic, ongoing formation program in keeping with the Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests (2001).¹

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Lincoln was issued two Instructions and eight Recommendations.

INSTRUCTION 1—The Diocese shall cooperate with the request to submit information necessary to the descriptive study regarding the “nature and scope” of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.

INSTRUCTION 2—The Diocese shall expeditiously take steps to institute background investigations for all diocesan and parish personnel having regular contact with children.

RECOMMENDATION 1—That the Diocese update its sexual abuse prevention policy to be inclusive of elements of the Charter.

RECOMMENDATION 2—That the Diocese create and publish policy and procedures for administration of pastoral care (outreach) to victims/survivors, families, and affected parishes in the event an allegation of sexual abuse of minors by the clergy is received.

RECOMMENDATION 3—That the bishop review the propriety of having a key diocesan official with direct responsibility to the bishop serving as victim assistance coordinator. Additionally, the coordinator should be provided guidance and training.

RECOMMENDATION 4—That the Diocese develop and publish procedures for those wishing to make a report of sexual abuse and ensure that these procedures are the subject of periodic public announcements.

RECOMMENDATION 5—That the bishop consider providing members of the review board with specific written guidance regarding his intentions for the scope of their responsibilities and consider involving the board at the initial stage after an allegation of abuse is received.

RECOMMENDATION 6—That the Diocese establish contact with county attorneys, setting forth diocesan policy and procedures to be followed in the event a complaint of sexual abuse of a minor is received.

RECOMMENDATION 7—That the Diocese develop and promulgate a communications policy reflecting openness and transparency in dealing with matters of sexual abuse of minors.

RECOMMENDATION 8—That the Diocese implement a comprehensive safe environment program.

As of December 1, 2003, no report of the Instructions or Recommendations having been addressed had been received. Although the Diocese of Lincoln is compliant with most Articles of the Charter, the Diocese is not fully compliant with Articles 7, 9, and 13.

Note

1. USCCB, Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2001).

The compliance audit measured activity that has occurred since the adoption of the Charter in June 2002 with the exception of certain mandated actions found in Articles 5 and 14. Actions taken by the diocese/eparchy prior to June 2002 to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests and deacons are not included in this summary report.




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Office of Child and Youth Protection
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194
(202) 541-5413 | FAX: (202) 541-5410
Email: ocyp@usccb.org