2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of San Diego
Bishop Robert H. Brom
Previous Audit Conducted 7/14 –
18/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of September 6, 2004 through September 10,
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, Adlin deCardi, a
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, who has worked for the past 12 years
in a variety of areas to include child abuse. The diocese established in
2002 a Review Board which consists of eight members. The members include a
licensed counselor and the current VAC, a lawyer, a diocesan Monsignor., a
dentist and professor of dentistry, a deacon who is a clinical laboratory
scientist, a local San Diego businessman, the current Chancellor of the
San Diego diocese and a woman religious from the Sisters of Mercy who
serves as the Director of Mission Services at Scripps Mercy Hospital. 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 entered into 13 confidentiality agreements during the audit
period for reasons brought forward by the victims/survivors.
The
diocese reported all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public
authorities 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.
The diocese has not fully implemented a "safe
environment" education program. A Required Action was issued. The
educational program for children is The Protecting Our Children
Program developed with the Chadwick Center for children and families
of Children’s Hospital in San Diego; the educational program for parents
is The Protecting Our Children Program; the educational program for
ministers is The Protecting Our Children Program; the educational
program for educators is The Protecting Our Children Program; and
the educational program for others is The Protecting Our Children
Program. 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 however, priests and deacons have
not completed theirs. A Required Action 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. One priest who has had a
credible allegation of sexual abuse made against him has transferred to
another diocese/eparchy for residence. Proper notification to the Bishop
of the new diocese/eparchy of residence was made.
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 with the exception of Articles 12 and 13. The following
Required Actions was issued:
REQUIRED ACTION # 1 (Article 12)
The Diocese of San Diego will implement their Safe Environment Program
and respond listing the number of (1) Children & Youth (2) Parents (3)
Educators (4) Diocesan Employees (5) Volunteers (6) Priests and (7)
Deacons in the diocese and how many in each category have been trained as
of December 1, 2004.
REQUIRED ACTION #2 (Article 13)
The San Diego diocese will initiate background investigations of the
110 active deacons and the additional 78 priests within the diocese.
Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004
As of December 31, 2004, the Diocese of San Diego 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.