2004 Audit Executive Summary: Diocese of Crookston

Bishop Victor H. Balke
Audit Conducted 08/30-09/03/2004
Previous Audit Conducted 10/06-10/2003

The information found herein represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of August 30 - September 3, 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 would have met with, or offered to meet with all victims/survivors who have reported allegations of abuse since the last compliance audit but the diocese has not had any reported allegations. The Bishop or his delegate also would have directed outreach to all faith communities in which the sexual abuse occurred however, there were no incidents. 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, Bernadette Dunn, who has a Master's of Divinity, has taken numerous courses focused on identifying inappropriate boundary issues, and was an Associate Instructor for Counseling Skills and Spiritual Direction at St. John's School of Theology/Seminary. The Diocese established in 2002 a Review Board which consists of seven members. The members include: a counseling psychologist; a juvenile investigator; a social worker; an attorney; a certified school counselor and two pastors. 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 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 would have reported all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public authorities since the last compliance audit if any occurred. 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, will be initiated. If a preliminary investigation so indicates, the Diocese will notify the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and apply the precautionary measures mentioned in CIC, canon 1722, or CCEO, canon 1473. If accusations against a priest or a deacon are proven to be unfounded, the Diocese will take 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 will offer professional assistance to offending priests or deacons.

Had there been any cases involving canonical penalties, the processes provided for in canon law would have been observed. Had the Diocese had any accused clergy, they would have been encouraged to retain the assistance of civil and canonical counsel. If necessary, the Diocese will supply canonical counsel to a priest or deacon.

If the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state had 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. Had it been necessary, the Diocese would 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 not fully implemented a "safe environment" education program as it pertains to volunteers and retired clergy who still have contact with children. A Required Action (#1) was issued. The educational program for children is “Creating and Maintaining a Safe Environment for Children and Young People” and is age specific. The educational program for parents, for ministers, for educators, and for others is the same but uses the age specific part of the program. 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 conducted background evaluations for all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors, using appropriate law enforcement resources where permissible. Volunteers and retired clergy who still have contact with children have not received documented background investigations. A Required Action (#2) was issued. 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/eparchy 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 with the exception of Articles 12 and 13. The following Required Actions was/were issued:

REQUIRED ACTION #1 (Article #12) - The Diocese of Crookston should provide training on a safe environment program for retired clergy and volunteers who have regular contact with minors.

REQUIRED ACTION #2 (Article #13) - The Diocese of Crookston should conduct background evaluations on retired clergy and volunteers who have regular contact with minors.

Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004

As of December 31, 2004, the Diocese of Crookston had satisfactorily completed the required actions. The Diocese is 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.