Charter Compliance Audit Report

In January, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released the Compliance Audit Report for all dioceses in the U.S. regarding the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

The audit showed that the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The audit examined the four main sections of the Charter, which include:

The report is based upon independent audits conducted in dioceses across the country since the USCCB adopted its Charter in June 2002; the audits measured activity occurring since the adoption of the Charter. During the period of September 1-4, 2003, the Gavin Group from Boston audited the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

The Archdiocese has had a prevention policy on sexual abuse of minors since 1989, and this policy provides for an outreach program designed to provide immediate pastoral care to victims/survivors and their families. A Commendation was written for the foresight shown by the Archdiocese in establishing its outreach program, Project Benjamin, and in creating the Eisenberg Commission, which was charged with reviewing their policies and procedures. The Archdiocese has a victim assistance coordinator, Dr. Barbara Reinke, who is a clinical psychologist. A lay review board, established in January 2003, consists of one priest and five respected members of the community, including an Episcopal priest (as of January 2004), a psychologist, and the former lieutenant governor. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed and electronic form. The Archdiocese has entered into no confidentiality agreements since June 2002.

The Archdiocese has had contact with local civil authorities regarding sexual abuse allegations, and its policy includes reporting all allegations to the authorities and cooperating with them in investigations. The Archdiocese has a procedure for advising victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. The Archdiocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests, deacons, and all adults who have contact with children. The Archdiocese has a communications policy reflecting the Archbishop's pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children.

INDEPENDENT MEDIATION PROCESS

The Clergy Sexual Abuse Mediation System is an independent process designed to settle disputes for those who have been sexually abused by Catholic clergy, with the goal of healing, restoration and justice. Trained, neutral intake coordinators will take calls from victims of clergy sexual abuse. Calls are confidential and victims can remain anonymous for their first contact.

Because some victims-survivors are not comfortable approaching the Church for help, Archbishop Dolan has asked Eva Soeka, a nationally and locally respected, professionally-trained mediator, to design a dispute resolution system to handle cases involving clergy sexual abuse of minors. Professor Soeka is the director of the Center for Dispute Resolution Education at Marquette University, and former associate dean at Marquette University Law School, but will take on this duty as part of her private work, not in conjunction with the university. Thus, the contact point for survivors who want to access the dispute resolution system will also be outside the church structure.

If you want to use the mediation system, make a report of sexual abuse, or simply want more information, please call 1-866-302-9215 or 414-302-9215 or fax 414-258-2461. Reports of clergy sexual abuse will be received through Friday, April 30, 2004. If you or someone you know has been a victim of clergy sexual abuse, please contact the clergy mediation system.

In addition, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has entered into mediation with a group of victim-survivors, in an attempt to bring healing and restoration for the group as quickly as possible. At the time of this report, Archbishop Dolan and his delegates have met four times with representatives of the group of victim-survivors in an attempt to reach agreement on various issues of safety, prevention, assistance and restoration.

The Archdiocese has participated in the research study regarding the "nature and scope" of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.

The Archdiocese has adopted a series of safe environment seminars through VIRTUS for presentation to employees and volunteers; it was not scheduled to begin until October 2003. A Recommendation was written for the Archdiocese to ensure that the training includes parents and children. As mentioned above, the Archdiocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. The Archdiocese has a program to complete background investigations on all members of the clergy and all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. The Archdiocese has not transferred any priests or deacons who have had credible allegations of sexual abuse lodged against them to any other diocese for ministerial assignment or residence since June 2002. The Archbishop and the major superiors of religious orders having a presence in the Archdiocese have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a clerical member of a religious institute. The Archdiocese has not had an opportunity to cooperate with other churches, religious bodies, and institutions of learning in conducting research in the area of sexual abuse of minors. The Archdiocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination and has established a program for priestly formation.

At the conclusion of this audit, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee was issued one Recommendation and one Commendation.

RECOMMENDATION - That the Archdiocese ensure that the safe environment training being initiated include parents and children.

COMMENDATION - For the Archdiocese's foresight in implementing an outreach program in 1989, as well as establishing the Eisenberg Commission to review policies and procedures.

As of December 1, 2003, the above Recommendation has been addressed. (See the Safe Environment page for details.) The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 in Section 1.

The complete USCCB report is available at www.usccb.org. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee's report is available on the archdiocesan web site - www.archmil.org.