2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersey
Eparch Andrew Pataki
Previous Audit Conducted 9/29/2003
to 10/3/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 11/15/2004 to 11/19/2004.
The eparchy has a policy on the
prevention of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The eparchy provides
outreach designed to offer pastoral care to victims/survivors and their
families. The bishop or his representative has offered to meet with all
victims/survivors who have reported allegations of abuse since the last
compliance audit. The bishop or his delegate directed outreach to all
faith communities in which the sexual abuse occurred. The 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 eparchy has six victim assistance coordinators who cover the six
geographical regions of the eparchy. Dr. Thomas Shubeck is a psychologist
and the VAC for the Passaic, NJ area. The eparchy established in 2003 four
Review Boards, which cover four of the six regions in the nine states that
make up the eparchy. The Passaic, New Jersey board consists of five
members. The members include one psychologist, one Ph.D. college
professor, one attorney and two educators, all with knowledge relating to
child abuse issues. 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 the subject of periodic public announcements. The
eparchy has not entered into any confidentiality agreements during the
audit period.
The eparchy would have reported all allegations of sexual
abuse of a minor to public authorities however there were none since the
last compliance audit. The eparchy complies with all applicable civil laws
with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to
civil authorities. The eparchy has established effective liaison with
civil authorities, ensuring that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse
allegations will occur. The eparchy cooperates with public authorities
about reporting in cases when the person is no longer a minor. In all
instances, the eparchy 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 eparchy
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 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
eparchial policies provide that the offending priest or deacon be
permanently removed from ministry. The eparchy 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 eparchy
supplies canonical counsel to a priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state has not been
applied, the eparchy directs the offender to lead a life of prayer and
penance. The eparchy does not allow the offender to celebrate Mass
publicly, to administer the sacraments, or to present himself publicly as
a priest.
The eparchy has established clear and well-publicized standards of
ministerial behavior for priests and deacons. A communications policy
which reflects the bishop's pledge to be open and transparent on issues
regarding the sexual abuse of children is not in effect. A Required Action
was issued. The eparchy would assist and support all parish communities
directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors were an
allegation to be proven.
The eparchy has not fully implemented a "safe
environment" education program. A Required Action was issued. The
educational program for children has yet to be determined; the educational
program for parents has yet to be determined; the educational program for
ministers is “The Protection of Children and Young People” ; the
educational program for educators has yet to be determined; the
educational program for others has yet to be determined. The eparchy has
clear and well publicized standards of conduct for persons in positions of
trust with regard to sexual abuse. The eparchy conducts background
evaluations for all eparchial and parish personnel who have regular
contact with minors, using appropriate law enforcement resources where
permissible. The eparchy employs adequate screening and evaluative
techniques in deciding the fitness of candidates for ordination.
The eparchy 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 eparchy has not
transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of
sexual abuse made against him to another diocese/eparchy for residence
since the last audit.
The bishop, or his designee, has coordinated with major superiors of
men with a presence in the eparchy concerning addressing the issue of
allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The eparchy has not had
the opportunity to participate in research with other institutions in the
area of sexual abuse. The eparchy 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 eparchy was found to be compliant with all
articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People with the exception of Articles numbers 12 & 7. The
following Required Actions were issued:
REQUIRED ACTION #1 (Article #12)
The Eparchy will select and
implement a Safe Environment training program for deacons, children,
parents, and volunteers who have access to children and young people in
the eparchy.
REQUIRED ACTION #2 (Article # 7)
The eparchy should develop a
communications policy which reflects a commitment to transparency and
openness.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Eparchy of Passaic had satisfactorily
completed the required actions. The eparchy is found to be compliant with
all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People.