2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Arlington
Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Previous Audit Conducted
9/22-25/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of October 4 to 8, 2004.
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 victims/survivors who have reported allegations of abuse
since the last compliance audit. The Bishop or his delegate has directed
outreach to the affected faith communities. 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, Helen Patricia Mudd,
who has a Masters Degree in Social Work and 18 years of experience in
children’s services and rape crisis. The Diocese established in 2002, a
Review Board which consists of eight members. The members include a
Superior Court Justice, a forensic psychologist, a retired State Senator,
a lay Catholic speaker, the Director of the Loudoun County Department of
Social Services, a physician, a pastor, and a psychologist. The Board
serves as a confidential consultative body to the Bishop. The diocese also
has a separate Advisory Board which regularly reviews policies and
procedures dealing with Sexual Abuse of minors.
The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in
printed form, and are the subject of periodic public announcements. The
Diocese has not entered into any confidentiality agreements during the
audit period.
The Diocese has reported all allegations of sexual abuse
of a minor to public authorities since the last compliance audit. 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 Diocesan policy requires cooperation 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.
If an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon were
received, the Diocesan policy states that a preliminary investigation, in
harmony with canon law, would be initiated. If a preliminary investigation
so indicates, the Diocesan policy is to notify the Congregation for the
Doctrine of Faith and apply 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 would take steps to restore
the good name of the priest or deacon.
If sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or a deacon were 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 would offer professional
assistance to offending priests or deacons.
In every case involving canonical penalties, the processes provided for
in canon law are observed. Accused clergy would be encouraged to retain
the assistance of civil and canonical counsel. When necessary, the Diocese
would supply canonical counsel to a priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state has not been
applied, the Diocese would direct the offender to lead a life of prayer
and penance. The Diocese would 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 assists and
supports all parish communities directly affected by ministerial
misconduct involving minors.
The Diocese has implemented a "safe environment"
education program for children. A revised educational program for
children, entitled “Formation in Chastity,” is being implemented in the
diocese. The educational program for parents is "Virtus for Parents.” The
educational program for ministers, employees, educators, and others is
Virtus: “Protecting God’s Children”. The Diocese has clear and well
publicized standards of conduct for persons in positions of trust with
regard to sexual abuse. The Diocese has not completed background
evaluations for all priests deacons, employees, and volunteers who have
regular contact with minors. A Required Action was issued. The program
does use appropriate law enforcement resources. 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 has coordinated with major superiors of men, on 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 in the area of sexual abuse.
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, with the exception of
Article 13. The following Required Action was issued:
REQUIRED ACTION # 1 Article 13 Background Investigations
Provide the number of priests, deacons, employees and volunteers; the
number by category who have completed background investigations and a
schedule for the completion of all background investigations for priests,
deacons, employees and volunteers who have not completed them.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Diocese of Arlington had satisfactorily
completed the required action. The Diocese is found to be compliant with
all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People.
During the audit period, the diocese held five Masses to Pray for
Healing for Victims of Sexual Abuse. After most of the Masses, the diocese
held receptions where the bishop, other priests, the diocesan Victim
Assistance Coordinator, and professional counselors had the opportunity to
greet those in attendance and offer assistance.
During the audit period, a proposed structure and schedule for support
groups for victims of child sexual abuse was thoroughly discussed, with
the envisioned announcement in January of 2005, and implementation in
March, 2005.