2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Archdiocese of Denver
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
Audit Conducted September 20
– 24, 2004
Previous Audit Conducted July 21 – 25, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of September 20-24, 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 Archbishop 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 Archbishop or his delegate has
directed outreach to all affected 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 an Archdiocesan
Outreach and Support Coordinator (victim assistance coordinator), Nancy A.
Walla, Special Advisor to the Archbishop, who has significant training and
experience. The Archdiocese established in 1991 a Review Board which now
consists of 5 members. The members include; a PhD in psychology (Jesuit);
a Retired Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court; a school
psychologist with a MA in Psychology and a BA in Education; an educator
with a PhD in Education, and a MA in Psychology; a Monsignor, Vicar for
Clergy – BS in Psychology. 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 not entered into any
confidentiality agreements during the audit period.
The Archdiocese reported
all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public authorities 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 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 fully implemented a
"safe environment" education program. The educational program for children
is Touching Safety, Virtus; the educational program for parents is
Protecting God’s Children, 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. 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.
The Archbishop of Denver has created the position of Special
Advisor to the Archbishop, which, while available to handle special
projects for the Archbishop, has the primary function of ensuring
compliance with all aspects of the Charter (including the role of
Archdiocesan Outreach and Support Coordinator), except those involving
canon law. The Special Advisor, a member of the Archbishop’s senior
advisory staff, provides a focal point for the Archbishop as well as the
clergy, employees and volunteers of the Archdiocese concerning matters
relating to the Charter, including, but not limited to, design and
implementation of all policies and programs, in consultation with many
other departments, ministries and councils*. The centralization of
resources, communications, information and coordination has been extremely
efficient and productive, resulting in a significant benefit to the
Archbishop and people of the Archdiocese by providing consistent,
comprehensive, united effort toward the implementation of the terms and
conditions of the Charter.
*Presbyterate
Seminaries
Office of Catholic
Schools
Office of Youth Ministry
Communications
Senior
Advisory Staff (Bishops, Vicars General
Chancellor, CFO, Special Advisor, Director
of Communications)
Office of Catechesis and
Evangelization
Parish Businesses Administrators
Human
Resources
Tribunal
|
Catholic Charities
Conduct Response Team
Vicar for
Clergy
Parish Coordinators
Facilitators
Diaconate |
It is the policy of the Archdiocese of Denver to require all volunteers
who have contact with children – regardless of its regularity – to
participate in the safe environment training. The Archdiocese believes
that even limited contact should be accompanied by the safe environment
training. Given the preventative nature of the program, the more adults
who benefit from the training, the greater the children and youth, it
should not seek reasons to exclude employees from these requirements, but
rather to provide our children the additional protection that these
measure afford them.
It is the policy of the Archdiocese of Denver
to perform background checks and to require safe environment training for
all employees – not only those who work regularly with children.
This policy was established because of the belief of the Archdiocese that,
in order to enhance its ability to ensure a safe environment for its
children and youth, it should not seek reasons to exclude employees from
these requirements, but rather to provide out children the additional
protection that these measures afford them.