2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Eparchy of Newton
Archbishop Cyril S. Bustros, Eparch
Previous Audit
Conducted 10/27-30/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of September 13, 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 Archbishop 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 Archbishop or his delegate has
directed outreach 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, Rev. Daniel Munn, who
is a psychologist with 40 years experience in pastoral counseling and work
in the field of human sexuality. The eparchy established in 2002 a Review
Board which consists of seven members. The members include an attorney, 2
retired judges, 2 psychologists, 1 physician and 1 priest, who is a
retired law enforcement officer. The Board serves as a confidential
consultative body to the Archbishop.
The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are not readily
available in printed form and are not the subject of periodic public
announcements. A Required Action was issued. The eparchy has not entered
into a confidentiality agreement during the audit period.
The
eparchy would have reported all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to
public authorities since the last compliance audit however, there were no
such cases. 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 Archbishop’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 not fully implemented a
"safe environment" education program. The eparch has instructed each
parish to avail itself of the safe environment programs utilized by the
Roman Catholic Diocese in which they are located. A Required Action was
issued. The eparchy has clear and well publicized standards of conduct for
persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. The eparchy
does not conduct background evaluations for all eparchial and parish
personnel who have regular contact with minors. Appropriate law
enforcement resources are used where permissible. A Required Action was
issued. 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 diocese/eparchy for residence
during the audit period.
The Archbishop, or his designee, 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 with the exception of Articles number 2, 12 and 13. The
following Required Actions were issued:
ARTICLE #2 RESPONSE AND REPORTING
Required Action # 1:
Post the procedures for making a
complaint on the Eparchial Website and in the Eparchial magazine “Sophia”
which is distributed five times a year. Include the name, address and
telephone number of the Victim Assistance Coordinator.
ARTICLE #12 SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMS
Required Action: #2
The Eparchy should provide the number of
children in religious education classes, the number volunteers in the
Eparchy; and the numbers of those children and volunteers who have
received safe environment training. The Eparchy should provide the number
of priests and deacons who have been provided safe environment training.
The Eparchy should provide a schedule for the completion of safe
environment training for children, volunteers, priests and deacons who
have not received this training.
ARTICLE #13 BACKGROUND INVESTIGATONS
Required Action #3:
Complete all background investigations
for all remaining deacons and volunteers.
As of December 31, 2004 the Eparchy of Newton satisfactorily completed
the required actions. The Eparchy Newton was found to be compliant with
all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young
People except for Article 12.