2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Archdiocese of Chicago
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Ph.D., S.T.D.
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Audit Conducted 7/21 - 25/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 10/25 – 28/2004.
The Archdiocese has a policy on the
prevention of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The Archdiocese provides
outreach designed to offer pastoral care to victims/survivors and their
families. The Cardinal 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 Cardinal or his delegate has directed
outreach to all faith communities in which the sexual abuse occurred. The
Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese has a victim assistance coordinator, Ralph A.
Bonaccorsi, who has multiple advanced degrees, and has been a full time
employee of the Archdiocese since 1966, primarily in the field of
education and counseling. The Archdiocese established in 1992 a Review
Board which consists of nine members. The members include two priests, a
deacon, two attorneys, a social worker, a psychologist, a psychiatrist and
the parent of a victim/survivor. The Board serves as a confidential
consultative body to the Archbishop.
The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in
printed form, and are the subject of periodic public announcements. The
Archdiocese has entered into four confidentiality agreements during the
audit period at the request of the victims/survivors.
The Archdiocese would
have reported all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public
authorities however there were none since the last compliance audit. The
Archdiocese complies with all applicable civil laws with respect to the
reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities.
The Archdiocese has established effective liaison with civil authorities,
ensuring that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations will
occur. The Archdiocese cooperates with public authorities about reporting
in cases when the person is no longer a minor. In all instances, the
Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese
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 Archdiocese 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
Archdiocesan policies provide that the offending priest or deacon be
permanently removed from ministry. The Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese
supplies canonical counsel to a priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state has not been
applied, the Archdiocese directs the offender to lead a life of prayer and
penance. The Archdiocese does not allow the offender to celebrate Mass
publicly, to administer the sacraments, or to present himself publicly as
a priest.
The Archdiocese has established clear and well-publicized standards of
ministerial behavior for priests and deacons. A communications policy is
in effect which reflects the Archbishop’s pledge to be open and
transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children. The
Archdiocese does assist and support all parish communities directly
affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors.
The Archdiocese has not fully implemented
a "safe environment" education program. A Required Action was issued.
There are various educational programs for children attending Archdiocesan
schools, but none for public school children attending religious education
classes; the educational program for parents is Protecting God’s Children
for Adults (Virtus); the educational program for ministers is Virtus; the
educational program for educators is Virtus; and the educational program
for others is Virtus. The Archdiocese has clear and well publicized
standards of conduct for persons in positions of trust with regard to
sexual abuse. The Archdiocese conducts background evaluations for all
Archdiocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors,
using appropriate law enforcement resources where permissible, but has not
completed the evaluations for all priests and deacons. A Required Action
was issued. The Archdiocese employs adequate screening and evaluative
techniques in deciding the fitness of candidates for ordination.
The Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese 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 Archbishop, or his designee, has coordinated with major superiors
of men with a presence in the Archdiocese concerning addressing the issue
of allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The Archdiocese has
not had the opportunity to participate in research with other institutions
in the area of sexual abuse. The Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese was found to be compliant with all articles of the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People with the
exception of Articles number 12 and 13. The following Required Actions
were issued:
REQUIRED ACTION # 1 (Article 12) – The Archdiocese of Chicago
will provide a schedule setting out when safe environment training will be
completed for all priests and deacons. In addition, the Archdiocese will
select or create a safe environment training program for public school
children attending religious education classes and institute the program
to educate these children. Provide a schedule for the training these
individuals.
REQUIRED ACTION #2 (Article 13) - The Archdiocese will provide a
schedule setting out completion dates for the background checks of all
diocesan, religious order priests and any others having priests faculties
within the Archdiocese as well as all deacons.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31,
2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Archdiocese of Chicago had satisfactorily
completed the required actions. The Archdiocese is found to be compliant
with all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and
Youth.