2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Orange
Bishop Tod D. Brown
Previous Audit Conducted September
22-26, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of November 1-5, 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 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, Diane
Gomez-Valenzuela, who has the title of assistance ministry coordinator.
Ms. Gomez-Valenzuela has a BS degree in social services with a minor in
criminal justice/corrections and a Masters degree in social welfare. The
diocese established a Review Board, known as the Sexual Misconduct
Oversight and Review Board (SMORB), on May 1, 2003. It replaced a
previously existing Sensitive Issues Committee. The SMORB currently has
nine members. A tenth member died in late October 2004. It consists of six
men and three women, including a retired chief of police, a former judge
and victim/witness assistance program director, an associate professor and
Ph.D. psychologist, a physician, a retired superior court judge, the CEO
of a children’s foundation that serves abused and neglected children, the
director of the juvenile court system of the Orange County Probation
Division, a woman religious who is a school principal of an elementary
school in the diocese, and a pastor with a Ph.D. in psychology. 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 did not enter into any confidentiality agreements during the audit
period.
The diocese did not report any allegations of sexual
abuse of a minor who is still a minor to civil authorities since the last
compliance audit because the diocese received no such complaints during
this audit period. 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 civil 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 the accused 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 assists and supports
all parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct
involving minors.
The diocese has fully implemented a "safe environment"
education program. The educational program for children is “Kids and
Company: Safety-Education Program”; the educational program for parents is
“Kids and Company: Safety Education Program”; the educational program for
ministers is a series of workshops dealing with safe environment issues;
the educational program for educators consists of a variety on staff
In-services dealing with safe environment; the educational program for
diocesan employees is “Respecting Boundaries”; the educational program for
volunteers is “Kids and Company”. 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 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.
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.