Diocesan Policy in Place Regarding Sexual Misconduct

By Michael F. Flach
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/28/02)

The escalating scandal in the Archdiocese of Boston involving the sexual misconduct of priests has left many in the Arlington Diocese concerned about what safeguards are in place to prevent a similar situation here.

The diocese has had a policy in place for more than a decade that requires all clergy and members of religious orders, as well as all lay employees and volunteers, to comply with state and local laws on reporting any suspected child abuse, including the sexual abuse of children.

Under these laws, if a person has reason to suspect that a child is abused, then that person must immediately report the matter to the Department of Social Services or the Child Protection Services. Both agencies work with local law enforcement officials to investigate the incident and impose sanctions when judged appropriate.

In addition to this state mandated reporting standard, the diocese requires the person, whether it be a priest, a religious or a lay person, to report suspected incidents to Father Mark S. Mealey, O.S.F.S., Moderator of the Curia.

Father Mealey is responsible for coordinating an investigation of the alleged incident by an independent review panel consisting of professionals from various fields so the alleged victim, the family and the alleged perpetrator are appropriately approached from not only a criminal or legal perspective, but also from pastoral, medical, psychological and sociological dimensions.

All diocesan employees are required to read and keep the diocesan "Policy on the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and/or Child Abuse." It is a condition of employment that all employees complete and send to the Chancellor, in this case Father Robert J. Rippy, the acknowledgement of receipt of the policy and the questionnaire.

All employees are subject to supplemental background checks and all those having significant contact with children — such as coaches, teachers and counselors — must attend an educational seminar on preventing, recognizing and reporting child abuse and sexual misconduct.

These seminars are held several times a year throughout the diocese, especially in the fall when school and parish religious education classes are back in session. One session was held last October at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington. A second session was held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Vienna in November.

Father Rippy, Diocesan Legal Counsel Thomas Fadoul and Father Stephen J. Rossetti, president of the St. Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Md., conduct the programs. Fadoul wrote, and regularly reviews, the diocesan guidelines for "Recognizing and Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect."

In response to the Boston scandal, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) posted a series of articles on the topic on its Web site in mid-February. The articles can be accessed at www.usccb.org/comm/restoretrust.htm. They include:

— The text of "Walk in the Light: A Pastoral Response to Child Sexual Abuse," a 1995 collaborative statement of the bishops' Committee on Women in Society and in the Church and Committee on Marriage and Family.

— An interview with Dr. Frederick S. Berlin, a leading expert on sexual disorders, concerning pedophilia, sexual abuse of minors and related issues.

— An overview of U.S. diocesan policies to prevent sexual abuse of minors and to deal with it when it occurs.

— A statement of five principles that have guided dioceses in dealing with the issue over the past decade.

— A lengthy chronology of discussions and actions by the bishops' conference over the past 20 years to help bishops combat clergy sexual abuse against minors.

— An op-ed piece, "Restoring Trust: The Response to Sexual Abuse," by Bishop John F. Kinney of St. Cloud, Minn., who headed the bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse from its formation in 1993 until 2000.

The five guiding principles for the U.S. church's response to sexual abuse were enunciated at the bishops' general meeting in June 1992 by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilzarczyk of Cincinnati, then president of the bishops' conference, following a daylong session on various aspects of clergy sexual abuse.

The principles reflected advice from a wide range of experts consulted by the bishops and were affirmed by the bishops as the framework for how they would approach the issue in their dioceses. The five principles are:

— Respond promptly to all allegations of abuse where there is reasonable belief that abuse has occurred.

— If such an allegation is supported by sufficient evidence, relieve the alleged offender promptly of his ministerial duties and refer him for appropriate medical evaluation and intervention.

— Comply with the obligations of civil law as regards reporting of the incident and cooperating with the investigation.

— Reach out to the victims and their families and communicate sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being.

— Within the confines of respect for privacy of the individuals involved, deal as openly as possible with the members of the community."

Jerry Filteau from Catholic News Service contributed to this report.

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