Archdiocese of
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee (“the Archdiocese”), which was established in 1843, encompasses 10 counties in southeastern Wisconsin. It consists of 224 parishes, 128 elementary and secondary schools, and five colleges/universities, and it serves a population of 689,519 registered Catholics with 422 diocesan priests and 179 deacons. The Most Reverend Timothy Dolan, installed as archbishop in 2002, leads the Archdiocese. A compliance audit of the Archdiocese was conducted during the period of September 1-4, 2003.

The information presented below represents conditions as they were found during the week of the audit. Information regarding necessary corrective actions taken by the Archdiocese subsequent to the audit will be found in the last paragraph.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Archdiocese has had a prevention policy on sexual abuse of minors since 1989, and this policy provides for an outreach program designed to provide immediate pastoral care to victims/survivors and their families. A Commendation was written for the foresight shown by the Archdiocese in establishing its outreach program Project Benjamin and in creating the Eisenberg Commission, which was charged with reviewing their policies and procedures. The Archdiocese has a victim assistance coordinator, Dr. Barbara Reinke, who is a clinical psychologist. A lay review board, established in January 2003, consists of one priest and five respected members of the community, including an Episcopal priest (as of January, 2004), a psychologist, and the out-going lieutenant governor. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed and electronic form. The Archdiocese has entered into no confidentiality agreements since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Archdiocese has had contact with local civil authorities regarding sexual abuse allegations, and its policy includes reporting all allegations to the authorities and cooperating with them in investigations. The Archdiocese has a procedure for advising victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. The Archdiocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests, deacons, and all adults who have contact with children. The Archdiocese has a communications policy reflecting the archbishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children.

To Ensure Accountability of Procedures
The Archdiocese has participated in the research study regarding the “nature and scope” of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.

To Protect the Faithful in the Future
The Archdiocese has adopted a series of safe environment seminars through VIRTUS for presentation to employees and volunteers; it was not scheduled to begin until October 2003. A Recommendation was written for the Archdiocese to ensure that the training includes parents and children. As mentioned above, the Archdiocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. The Archdiocese has a program to complete background investigations on all members of the clergy and all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. The Archdiocese has not transferred any priests or deacons who have had credible allegations of sexual abuse lodged against them to any other diocese for ministerial assignment or residence since June 2002. The archbishop and the major superiors of religious orders having a presence in the Archdiocese have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a clerical member of a religious institute. The Archdiocese has not had an opportunity to cooperate with other churches, religious bodies, and institutions of learning in conducting research in the area of sexual abuse of minors. The Archdiocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination and has established a program for priestly formation.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee was issued one Recommendation and one Commendation.

RECOMMENDATION—That the Archdiocese ensure that the safe environment training being initiated include parents and children.

COMMENDATION—For the Archdiocese’s foresight in implementing an outreach program in 1989, as well as establishing the Eisenberg Commission to review policies and procedures.

As of December 1, 2003, the above Recommendation has been addressed. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 in Section I.


*The compliance audit measured activity that has occurred since the adoption of the Charter in June 2002 with the exception of certain mandated actions found in Articles 5 and 14. Actions taken by the diocese/eparchy prior to June 2002 to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests and deacons are not included in this summary report.




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Office of Child and Youth Protection
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194
(202) 541-5413 | FAX: (202) 541-5410
Email: ocyp@usccb.org