2004 Audit Executive Summary: Diocese of Fairbanks

Bishop Donald J. Kettler
Audit Conducted October 11-15, 2004
Previous Audit Conducted August 18-23, 2003

The information found herein represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of October 11-15, 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 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 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, Resource Center for Parents and Children which is a professional intake and counseling agency for child sexual abuse matters. The diocese established in February 2002 a Review Board which consists of seven members. The members include a university administrator, a retired prosecutor, a psychologist, a business owner, a police officer, a counselor and a priest. 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 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 would have reported all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public authorities however there were none to report 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 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, is initiated. 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 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 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 diocese supplies canonical counsel to a priest or deacon.

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 fully implemented a "safe environment" education program. The educational program for children is “I’m the Boss of My Body”; the educational program for parents is “Sharing Secrets”; the educational program for ministers is “Sharing Secrets”; the educational program for educators is “Sharing Secrets”; and the educational program for others is “Sharing Secrets”. 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 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. 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.


Additional Actions for the Protection of Children

  1. Background checks are done on all employees whether or not they work with children and youth, to include weekly updates of all employees and volunteers for additional arrests using the State of Alaska Department of Public Safety online database. New priests are checked prior to entering seminary and then again, upon graduation, prior to parish assignments.

  2. Training tapes for teens and adults are “signed for the deaf.”

  3. Due to the geographic immensity of this diocese, satellite Victim Assistance Coordinators have been established in the mid-Yukon and Nome areas, in Addition to the primary Victim Assistance Coordinator in Fairbanks.

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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.





Office of Child & Youth Protection | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3000 © USCCB. All rights reserved.