Diocese of Burlington,
Vermont
Bishop Kenneth R. Angell
Previous Audit Conducted
6/23-27/03
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 8/18-19/04.
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. There were seven new allegations against seven priests. 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/eparchy
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 3 victim assistance coordinators: Mary McNamara, who is
a licensed clinical social worker with over twenty years experience in
dealing with child abuse matters; Sr. Susan Fortier, who has a Doctorate
in Child Psychology and has numerous years experience dealing with
children and child abuse matters and Mrs. Eleanor Calabrese, who is a
licensed social worker with extensive experience dealing with child abuse
matters. The diocese established in 1996 a Review Board that consists of
six members. The members include a psychologist, two licensed social
workers, retired law enforcement officer, lawyer and member of the clergy.
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 subject of periodic public announcements. The diocese
has not entered into confidentiality agreements during the audit period.
The
diocese reported all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public
authorities since the last compliance audit. 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 does
not always notify the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and applies
only some of the precautionary measures mentioned in CIC, canon 1722, or
CCEO, canon 1473. A Required Action was issued to the diocese concerning
the precautionary measures mentioned above. When accusations against a
priest or a deacon are proven to be unfounded, the diocese/eparchy 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 provide 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 does not direct the offender to lead a life of prayer
and penance. The diocese has allowed two offenders to celebrate mass
publicly and to administer the sacraments. The diocese has allowed all
offending priests to present themselves publicly as a priest by allowing
them to continue to wear priestly garb. (See Required Action #1.)
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. (See Required Action #2.) There are no
educational programs for children, parents, employees and volunteers.
Clergy have received educational training through the diocesan formation
program and educators through Vermont mandatory training programs for
educators. The diocese has clear and well-publicized standards of conduct
for persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. The diocese
does not conduct background evaluations for all diocesan and parish
personnel who have regular contact with minors. (See Required Action #3.)
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 for residence, without
providing the proper notification to the new diocese of residence.
The bishop, or his designee, has coordinated with major superiors of
men with a presence in the diocese concerning addressing the issue of
allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The diocese has
participated 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
Articles 5, 12 and 13. The following Required Actions were issued:
REQUIRED ACTION #1 (Article 5):
Insure and document that all priests removed from ministry from the
diocese are informed that:
- They are not permitted to celebrate Mass publicly;
- They are not permitted to administer the sacraments;
- They are not permitted to wear clerical garb; and
- They cannot present themselves publicly as a
priest.
REQUIRED ACTION #2 (Article 12):
Prepare and implement a “safe environment program” for the diocese to
ensure training is afforded to all diocesan individuals covered under the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
REQUIRED ACTION #3 (Article 13)
Establish a plan and schedule for implementation of background checks
for all individuals required by the Charter.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31,
2004
This diocese was re-audited on December 15-21, 2004. The Diocese of
Burlington took corrective action on Action # 1 (Article 15) and Action #3
(Article 13.) The diocese remains non-compliant with Action #2 (Article
12.)