2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Ukrainian Eparchy of St. Josaphat, Parma, Ohio
Bishop Robert M. Moskal
Previous Audit Conducted
9/8-9/10/2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of 9/13-9/17/04.
The Eparchy has a policy on the
prevention of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The Eparchy has not had
any victims come forward. The Eparchy will provide outreach designed to
offer pastoral care to victims/survivors and their families. The bishop or
his representative will meet with all victims/survivors who report
allegations of abuse. The bishop or his delegate will direct outreach to
all faith communities in which the sexual abuse occurred. However, there
were no allegations received during this audit period. 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 one victim assistance coordinator, Kristin Ligus, who
is a psychology student and who has worked several years with victims of
sexual abuse. Ms. Ligus attended the VAC seminar in Chicago and will rely
on an established list of professionals to provide direct assistance to
victims/survivors. The Eparchy established in 2003 a Review Board which
consists of five members. The members include two physicians, one of whom
is a psychiatrist, a priest, a non-Catholic minister and a social worker.
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
Eparchy has not entered into a confidentiality agreement during the audit
period.
The Eparchy has not had any allegations and therefore no
reports of sexual abuse of a minor were made to public authorities since
the last compliance audit. The Eparchy will comply with all applicable
civil laws with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of
minors to civil authorities. The Eparchy is in the process of establishing
effective liaison with civil authorities, ensuring that an open dialogue
regarding sexual abuse allegations will occur. In all instances, the
Eparchy will advise 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 Eparchy will
notify the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and apply 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 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
policies of the Eparchy provide that the offending priest or deacon be
permanently removed from ministry. The Eparchy will offer professional
assistance to offending priests or deacons.
In every case involving canonical penalties, the processes provided for
in canon law will be observed. Accused clergy will be encouraged to retain
the assistance of civil and canonical counsel. When necessary, the Eparchy
will supply canonical counsel to a priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state has not been
applied, the Eparchy would direct the offender to lead a life of prayer
and penance. The Eparchy will 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 bishop's pledge to be open and transparent on
issues regarding the sexual abuse of children. The Eparchy will assist and
support all parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct
involving minors.
The Eparchy has fully implemented a "safe environment"
education program. The educational program for children is an age
appropriate discussion in the classroom. The educational program for
parents; ministers; educators and others is VIRTUS and Somebody Told. The
Eparchy has clear and well-publicized standards of conduct for persons in
positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. The Eparchy conducts
background evaluations for all diocesan and parish personnel who have
regular contact with minors, using appropriate law enforcement resources
where permissible. 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 eparchy for residence since the
last audit.
The bishop 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.