2004 Audit Executive Summary: Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota

Most Reverend Blasé J. Cupich
Previous Audit Conducted June 30 – July 3, 2003

The information found herein represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of July 26-30, 2004.

Findings

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

The diocese has a policy on 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 has met with or offered to meet with all victims/survivors who have reported allegations of abuse since the last compliance audit. One victim is in another state and the bishop has requested assistance from the diocese where he is located. The bishop or his delegate has directed outreach to all faith communities in which the sexual abuse occurred. 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, Maryann Tully, who is a registered nurse with 41 years of experience who has studied social work. The diocese established on July 30, 2002 a Review Board which consists of five members. The members include a registered nurse and mother of four, the Prioress of St. Martin Monastery who has been a nun for 50 years, an attorney who has represented children in various abuse/neglect cases and father of three, the Vicar General of the diocese and a Deacon who was a victim of sexual abuse and served as the Clinical Director of Children’s Home Society. There are also two designated alternates. The Board serves as a confidential consultative body to the bishop.

The procedures for reporting a complaint of abuse are available in printed form, and are the subject of periodic public announcements. The diocese has not entered into a confidentiality agreement during the audit period.


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

The diocese did not receive any allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to report to public authorities which occurred since the last compliance audit. The only allegation received, accused a priest who has been deceased for 40 years, and the dioces is not required by civil authorities to report this case. The diocese has a policy calling for compliance with all applicable civil laws with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities. The diocese has established liaison with civil authorities. Their diocesan policy calls for open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations if they occur. The diocese has a policy calling for cooperation with public authorities about reporting in cases when the person is no longer a minor. The diocese has a policy that calls for notice to 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, the diocese has a policy to conduct a preliminary investigation, in harmony with canon law. 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 has a policy that 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 has a policy to offer professional assistance to offending priests or deacons.

In every case involving canonical penalties, the processes provided for in canon law are observed. Diocesan policy encourages accused clergy to retain the assistance of civil and canonical counsel. When necessary, the diocese supplies canonical counsel to a priest or deacon.

The diocese has a policy that states 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)

The diocese has selected and scheduled a "safe environment" education program. The educational program for children utilizes a multifaceted approach from several sources including the Committee for Children, Seattle, WA, and Boy Scouts of America; the educational program for parents, ministers, educators and others is described as a program from a variety of sources including a video entitled, “What Do I Say Now?” by the Committee for Children. The diocese has clear and well publicized standards of conduct for persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. The diocese conducts background evaluations for all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors, using appropriate law enforcement resources where permissible. 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 a policy to not transfer 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 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.

Email us at ocyp@usccb.org
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.