2004 Audit Executive Summary: Diocese of Venice

Bishop John Nevins
Previous Audit Conducted 10/13-17/2003

The information found herein represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of Sept.13-17, 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, Beverly Zeiss, who is a registered nurse and holds a degree as Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling. She has been Director of Life Issues at Epiphany Cathedral for eight years and for three years has served as Director of Bereavement for the Diocese of Venice. The diocese established in 1995 a Review Board which consists of nine members. The members include a retired USAF colonel, a retired judge, a nurse, a social worker, a retired law enforcement officer, a college professor and three priests. 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 confidentiality agreements during the audit period.


To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor (Articles 4, 5, 6 and 7)

The diocese has a policy to report all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to public authorities since the last compliance audit but no allegations were received. 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 provides 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 not fully implemented a "safe environment" education program. A Required Action was issued. The educational program for children is “Safe Environment Training”; the educational program for parents is “Safe Environment Training”; the educational program for ministers is “Safe Environment Training”; the educational program for educators is “Safe Environment Training”; and the educational program for others is “Safe Environment Training”. 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 has had communication with major superiors of men who have representatives in the diocese. 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.


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 with the exception of Article number twelve (#12). The following Required Action was issued:

REQUIRED ACTION # 1 (Article 12) – The diocese will determine the total number of volunteers and employees that have regular contact with children. The diocese will also determine the number within each of those groups (volunteers and employees) who have and have not received safe environment training and complete their training.


Compliance with the Charter as of December 31, 2004

As of December 31, 2004, the Diocese of Venice had completed the required action. The diocese is found to be compliant with all articles of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

RESPONSE FROM DIOCESE/EPARCHY:

A census conducted subsequent to the audit of the Venice Diocese revealed the following (these numbers do not include priests, deacons or educators whose numbers were reported separately in the audit):

Number of employees who have regular contact with children 155
Number of these employees who have attended safe environment training 133

Number of volunteers who have regular contact with children 1833
Number of these volunteers who have attended safe environment training 1053

Those 22 employees who have regular contact with children and 780 volunteers who have regular contact with children who have not attended safe environment training will all be trained by February 19, 2005.

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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.