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DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN The Diocese of Brooklyn, which was established in 1853, encompasses two counties, consists of 217 parishes and missions, 548 diocesan priests, one minor seminary, three colleges/universities, 169 schools (149 elementary and 20 high schools), and serves a population of 1, 842,642 Catholics. The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, who was installed on October 3, 2003, now leads the Diocese. He replaced the Most Reverend Thomas V. Daily, who retired effective August 1, 2003. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period: October 6-10, 2003. The information set forth herein represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding recommended corrective actions taken by the Diocese subsequent to the audit will be found in the last paragraph.
“To promote healing and reconciliation”
The Diocese has an effective outreach program, which was in place prior to June 2002, and its current program and policies were put into effect in June 2003. Representatives of the Bishop have always met with victims who have reported instances of abuse. The Victim Assistance Coordinator is Sister Ellen Patricia Finn, O.P., who is the Assistant Director of Catholic Charities and has 15 years of experience in the field. It was recommended that the Diocese establish a comprehensive job description for a full-time Victim Assistance Coordinator. The Review Board was established in February 2003, and consists of eight members of varied backgrounds and is chaired by an attorney and full professor. The procedures for making an allegation of abuse are readily available in printed form, and a brochure setting forth these procedures is to be prepared. There have been no confidentiality agreements entered into by the Diocese since June 2002.
“To guarantee effective response to allegations of abuse of a minor”
The Diocese has developed effective liaison with local civil authorities and has reported all allegations received since the adoption of the Charter in June 2002. Cooperation has also been extended during the ensuing investigations. A procedure to advise victims of their right to report allegations of abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities is in effect. While training has been given to clergy as to their conduct and boundaries, written standards have not yet been adopted. A recommendation was issued that this be accomplished in the near future. The Diocese has a communications policy that is committed to openness and transparency on the issues regarding the sexual abuse of children. “To ensue accountability of procedures”The Diocese has participated in the research study regarding the “nature and scope” of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.
“To protect the faithful in the future”The Diocese has selected the VIRTUS program to implement its safe environment training. To date a group of diocesan personnel have been provided awareness training, and elementary school teachers are scheduled to receive training in late October 2003. The Diocese has not initiated a program to train its children, and a recommendation was issued that such a program be implemented expeditiously. A committee has been established to develop uniform standards of conduct. The Diocese has been evaluating various methods and procedures to establish an efficient, yet effective, background screening program. 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 or for purposes of residency in another diocese or eparchy. Sixteen of all removed clerics have taken up residency outside the Diocese, and appropriate notifications have been made. Dialogue to coordinate roles concerning allegations of sexual abuse by the clergy with the major superiors has been opened. The Diocese has an established screening and evaluation process to determine the fitness of candidates for ordination. There has been no opportunity for the Diocese to participate with other faiths or institutions of learning in the conduct of research regarding sexual abuse of minors. Ongoing formation programs exist in keeping with the Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests (2001).
COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER
At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Brooklyn was issued four recommendations and one commendation as follows:
Recommendation # 1 – That the Diocese select an effective safe environment training program for children and establish a position of coordinator to administer and implement this program throughout the Diocese.
Recommendation # 2 – That the Diocese finalize and disseminate the standards of conduct for clergy and any other Church personnel in positions of trust who have close contact with children and youth.
Recommendation # 3 – That the Diocese establish a comprehensive job description exclusively for the position of a full-time Victim Assistance Coordinator.
Recommendation # 4 – That the Diocese expeditiously implement a background screening process of all diocesan personnel and volunteers.
Commendation – For the establishment in the early 1990s of a committee of diverse individuals empowered to act as board of consultants to advise the Bishop on matters of sexual abuse and the Charter.
As of December 1, 2003, Recommendation # 3 had been addressed. The Diocese of Brooklyn has conducted extensive training for adults in which nearly 2500 persons have been trained. As yet, the Diocese has not selected a program for children and young people, or an individual to administer the safe environment program throughout the Diocese (Recommendation # 1). Final approval from the Bishop for the standards of ministerial behavior is pending (Recommendation # 2). The Diocese of Brooklyn is also awaiting the approval of the new Bishop relative to the selection and implementation of a background screening process (Recommendation # 4). The Diocese of Brooklyn is compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by process described in Chapter 2, but has not yet fully implemented the actions recommended in Articles 6, 12 and 13.
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