2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Byzantine Eparchy of Parma
Bishop John M. Kudrick
Previous Audit Conducted September
4-8, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of November 15-19, 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 met with, or offered to
meet with all victims/survivors who have reported allegations of abuse
since the last compliance audit. The bishop has a policy to reach out 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 a victim assistance coordinator, Dr. Sharon DiLauro
(Petrus),M.D., who received her medical degree from Northeastern Ohio
University. During her practice she has encountered and treated victims of
sexual abuse. The eparchy established a Review Board in 2002, consisting
of nine members and two ex-officio members. The members include an
elementary school principal, a pastor, a professor of law, two attorneys,
a parent, a licensed social worker, a registered nurse, and a business
woman. The two ex-officio members are both priests. One is the
Protosyncellus and the other is Promoter of Justice. 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 ant 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 is in effect which reflects the
bishop's pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual
abuse of children. The eparchy does assist and support all parish
communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors.
The eparchy has fully
implemented a "safe environment" education program. The educational
program for children is “God With Us Safe Environment Program”; the
educational program for parents is the same; the educational program for
ministers is “Clergy Training” and a video “The Call That Counts”, the
educational program for educators is Virtus; and the educational program
for others is “God With Us Safe Environmen”t and the video “The Call That
Count”. 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 eparchy for residence since the
last audit.
The Bishop 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.