2004 Audit Executive Summary: Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii

Diocesan Administrator Thomas L. Gross
Previous Audit Conducted July 7 – 11, 2003

The information found herein represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of September 20 – 24, 2004.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation (Articles 1, 2 and 3)

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. The bishop or his representative has met with, or offered to meet with all victim/survivors. The bishop or his delegate has, in the past, directed outreach to all faith communities in which sexual abuse of a minor occurred. No faith communities have been impacted during the current audit period. The diocese 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 a victim assistance coordinator, Joe Bloom, who is a Licensed Social Worker with Master Degrees in Divinity and Social Work. In 1990 the diocese established a Review Board which consists of eight members. This board has been updated since the implementation of the Charter, though many previous members are current members. The members include a deputy prosecutor, two psychologists, one social worker with expertise in the field of sexual misconduct, two attorneys, and two priests. The Board serves as a confidential consultative body to the bishop.

The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are available in printed form, and have been and will be the subject of periodic public announcements. The diocese has not entered into any confidentiality agreements during the audit period.


To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor (Articles 4, 5, 6 and 7)

The diocese has a policy to report all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public authorities. 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 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 diocese 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 directs the offender to lead a life of prayer and penance. The diocese does not allow the offender to celebrate Mass publicly, to administer the sacraments, or to present himself publicly as a priest.

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.


To Protect the Faithful in the Future (Articles 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17)

Safe environment training is already being conducted for all children and youth in the diocesan schools. The Public School Religion students will be included in this newly-developed safe environment training. Safe environment training has already been conducted for clergy, educators, employees, and volunteers. All individuals who have not received training have been scheduled. The self-developed educational program for children, parents, ministers, volunteers, educators, and others is, “Creating and Maintaining Safe Environments.” The diocese has clear and well publicized standards of conduct for persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. Due to a state law restriction which prevents diocesan access to criminal history information of those personnel who were employed by the diocese prior to July 1, 2000, criminal history checks have not been conducted on clergy, volunteers and other employees outside the educational system who have regular contact with children. Child care facilities are required by state law to conduct criminal history background checks and child abuse or neglect checks of all employees. Thus, diocesan educators/employees who work in a parish school which provides either before or after school child care have had these checks completed. 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 since the last audit.

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 not had the opportunity to participate 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.


Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

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.

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Office of Child & Youth Protection | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3000 © USCCB. All rights reserved.





Office of Child & Youth Protection | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3000 © USCCB. All rights reserved.