USCCB Efforts to Combat Clergy Sexual Abuse Against Minors: A Chronology 1982-2006
Claims of clergy sexual abuse against minors have fixed the attention of the U.S. Bishops for approximately 15 years. The problem has challenged the bishops simultaneously to provide justice and healing for victims, vision and solace for the Catholic community, pastoral leadership to priests, compassion to the accused, and cooperation with civil authorities. Presented here is a chronological account of the assistance offered dioceses through the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/U.S. Catholic Conference (NCCB/USCC) whose organizational structure was revised during these years and which has been known since 2001 as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
1982.
NCCB/USCC staff assist personnel from two dioceses in appreciating the civil liability risks involved in child molestation cases. Occasional inquiries about specific complaints follow over the next eighteen months.
1984.
Misconduct of Father Gilbert Gauthe of Lafayette, Louisiana, focuses public attention. NCCB/USCC staff have limited discussions with diocesan administrative and legal personnel about concerns presented by resulting claims. Additional claimants in other dioceses come forward. NCCB/USCC staff act as resource to Bishops and their staffs who have ultimate responsibility for responding to claims.
1984, continued.
Several state legislatures change child abuse reporting statutes. NCCB/USCC legal staff survey and provide summary of statutes to dioceses.
1985.
Several state Catholic conferences and individual dioceses begin developing personnel policies governing abuse allegations using their own expert and legal personnel along with consultation with NCCB/USCC staff. Based on operating experiences of dioceses, NCCB/USCC staff begin to make more uniform suggestions to individual dioceses which eventually are formalized as Five Principles for dealing with allegations of sexual abuse of minors (see, June 1992).
June, 1985.
Sexual abuse claims are discussed in private meeting of diocesan attorneys and in an executive session of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. The latter, held in Collegeville, Minnesota, includes presentations by a psychiatrist, a lawyer, and a Bishop on aspects of the problem.
1985, continued.
The Reverend Michael Peterson, president of the St. Luke Institute, the Reverend Thomas Doyle, canon lawyer on the staff of the Apostolic Nunciature, and Atty. Raymond Mouton, lawyer for Father Gauthe, draft a resource paper entitled The Problem of Sexual Molestation by Roman Catholic Clergy: Meeting the Problem in a Comprehensive and Responsible Manner. This offers the authors' opinions of potential size of the situation facing the Church in the United States and suggestions on how to deal with it. Father Peterson eventually sends diocesan Bishops copies of text of the entire report as an appendix to a document prepared by the St. Luke Institute with a note urging recipients to “treat the contents of this document as confidential” and saying that it contains “my professional and personal remarks and should not be construed as a national plan” for the Bishops’ Conference. An NCCB/USCC staff review finds that, with few exceptions, issues raised in the Report have already been identified for the Bishops by NCCB/USCC staff and other experts, especially at the Collegeville meeting. Major difference: the Report's suggestion of
a national intervention team (a doctor, a canonist, and a lawyer) to respond to complaints in individual dioceses. Dioceses prefer to respond through their own expert personnel, rather than a national team, due to factual and legal uniqueness of each accusation. Media characterizations of the Report as a proposal either ignored or summarily rejected by the Conference are inaccurate.
1986-1988.
NCCB/USCC staff continue to assist dioceses and develop more uniform advice for them. Other actions are: in order to aid diocesan attorneys, General Counsel catalogues liability theories and defenses raised in litigation; diocesan training programs are encouraged; updates are offered to diocesan educators, Catholic Charities personnel and administrators. NCCB Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry begins to work with vicars for priests to help develop training programs. Dioceses develop more definitive personnel policies to respond to claims and training programs for policy implementation.
November, 1987.
At the Bishops’ General Meeting, certain aspects of molestation cases are reviewed, largely from the perspective of canon law. By end of 1987, NCCB/USCC General Counsel is asked to prepare a public statement acknowledging scope and extent of crisis and expressing perspective of the Conference.
February, 1988.
At direction of the General Secretary, General Counsel issues the statement which summarizes the steps taken by the USCC to “educate, advise and guide” in this matter. The statement also describes “affirmative activities” in dioceses, such as, educating diocesan personnel who have the care of children about the prevention of child abuse, developing policies on reporting abuse, and working to heal victims and families. The statement also reminds the public that the USCC is not “a national governing board for the church in the United States” and that in both church and civil law “each diocese is separate and independent from every other diocese.”
1988-1990.
Several important changes mark the situation confronting dioceses and, therefore, the NCCB/USCC: 1) the number of new cases, i.e., cases involving current problems, begins to diminish and be replaced by cases involving misconduct occurring ten or more years before. (Even with claims beyond the period of legal remedy, NCCB/USCC staff continue to advise the priority of pastoral care and that dioceses ascertain that there is no ongoing threat to any person); 2) priests returning to dioceses from treatment programs cause diocesan officials to ask whether these priests should or could be reassigned to ministry or what could be done to laicize them. This raises significant theological, pastoral, canonical, liability, and medical questions.
November, 1989.
The Administrative Committee of the NCCB issues a brief statement on child molestation claims. General Counsel is asked to convene, in conjunction with NCCB Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry, a staff-level study group on questions of reassignment. Representatives of a variety of disciplines meet over a period of a year and a half for several consultations on various dimensions of the problem.
Late 1989.
With regard to canonical remedies to deal with priests who would not return to ministry, NCCB/USCC officers and key staff begin discussing alternative approaches to existing provisions of the Code of Canon Law with representatives of the Roman Curia, especially the Code's statute of limitations and its treatment of culpability. Discussions focus on ways to streamline the penal provisions of the Code and the possibility of an administrative process to remove a priest from the clerical state.
1990.
Discussion described above continues. Ecumenical and nonsectarian nature of problem strongly is emphasized and is subject of ongoing discussion with representatives of other denominations in
the United States. In these internal discussions, NCCB/USCC staff offer leadership, especially in developing guidelines and strategies for personnel policies and public information.
1990, continued.
A presentation on the medical factors to be assessed is made to diocesan attorneys by the NCCB/USCC Study Group, which also begins to compile lists of factors that should be evaluated by Bishops in making individual-specific reassignment decisions.
1991.
Ecumenical ties between U.S. Bishops Conference and other Churches and religious organizations in the United States continue as do discussions with the Holy See.
June, 1992.
At the Bishops’ General Meeting, following a day-long executive session on aspects of clergy sexual misconduct, NCCB/USCC president issues a public statement announcing the involvement of prominent experts in various disciplines to review latest information on the subject and contributions of specific bishops who reviewed their diocesan approaches during the meeting. He formally states the Five Principles, which have formed the basis of advice given by NCCB/USCC staff. The Bishops affirm them as the approach which their dioceses are taking to deal with child sexual abuse: 1) respond promptly to all allegations of abuse where there is reasonable belief that abuse has occurred; 2) 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; 3) comply with the obligations of civil law as regards reporting of the incident and cooperating with the investigation; 4) reach out to the victims and their families and communicate sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being; 5) within the confines of respect for privacy of the individuals involved, deal as openly as possible with the members of the community.
November, 1992, continued.
At the General Meeting, NCCB/USCC endorses June statement of Conference president and adds its own words of support. Formation of a subcommittee of the NCCB Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry on sexual abuse, chaired by Father Canice Connors, OFM Conv., is announced. A group of bishops led by Cardinal Roger Mahony meet in Washington with group of victims-survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
February, 1993.
The subcommittee convenes a “Think Tank” in St. Louis, Missouri, gathering experts from across the spectrum of the Church and society on the question of clergy sexual abuse.
May-June, 1993.
Discussions with the Holy See culminate in a 1993 meeting. The Holy Father issues a letter to the U.S. Bishops condemning child abuse and announcing formation of a Joint Study Commission to address the NCCB/USCC concerns about canonical problems in dealing with priest abusers. (Throughout the first part of 1993, U.S. Bishops have commented on the problem individually during their regular five-year ad limina visits to Rome.)
June, 1993.
At the General Meeting, a report on the “Think Tank” is offered at a plenary public session and discussed. The establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse (AHCSA) is announced. This committee is mandated 1) to look at assisting the membership in effectively dealing with priests who sexually abuse minors and others; 2) to examine what the NCCB can do pastorally nationwide to assist in the healing of victims and their families; 3) to address the issue of morale of bishops and priests burdened with the terrible offenses of a few; 4) to assist bishops in screening candidates for ministry and assessing the possibility of reassignment of clergy found guilty of sexual abuse of minors; 5) to recommend steps to safeguard against sexual abuse of minors by employees or volunteers of the Church; and 6) to address the national problem of sexual abuse of children, coming from many directions, especially from within families.
Committee begins to seek expert advice from the medical and psychological community.
September, 1993.
The AHCSA provides Bishops with the Brief Overview of Conference Involvement in Assisting Dioceses with Child Molestation Claims which is published in “Origins.”
November, 1993.
The work of the Joint Holy See-U.S. Bishops Study Commission results in recommendations for certain derogations from (exceptions to) canon law which can be applied by the U.S. Bishops.
April, 1994.
Pope John Paul II approves some derogations for an experimental period. For cases of sexual abuse, the derogations effectively extend canon law's statute of limitations to the victim's 28th birthday. They also allow for penalties to be imposed for these crimes committed against all minors, not just those under age 16.
November, 1994.
The AHCSA issues Restoring Trust Vol. I, which includes a review of 157 Diocesan Policies; description of 10 treatment centers; and articles on topics ranging from pedophilia and victims/families to parishes as victims and expectations of treatment.
November, 1995.
The AHCSA issues Restoring Trust Vol. II, which includes description of eight treatment centers, a 42-page presentation on care and concern for victims/survivors, and articles on topics ranging from the offender and effectiveness of treatment to the insurance viewpoint.
November, 1996.
The AHCSA issues Restoring Trust Vol. III, which reviews the efforts and activities to that point and notes areas still to be addressed.
June, 1997.
The AHCSA promotes a video on boundaries issues developed by the National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy at the committee’s request. The video focuses on intimacy, sexuality, and the development of skills in interpersonal relations.
November, 1997.
The AHCSA is re-authorized for a three-year period and mandated to concentrate on 1) healing of victims; 2) education; and 3) future options for priest offenders.
1998.
Symposium for U.S. Bishops on working with victims and healing; review of canonical issues related to reassignment of abusers or permanent dismissal from the clerical state; meeting with English speaking bishops’ conference in Ireland.
1999.
Extension for ten years of derogations of canon laws dealing with statute of limitations and age of maturity; meetings with victims and victim advisory groups.
2000.
Meetings with victims and victim advisory groups; meeting with English speaking bishops’ conferences in Rome; reconstitution of the AHCSA with focus on education, prevention, review of diocesan policies for child-safe environments.
2001.
Development of Restoring Trust materials for wider dissemination; review of due process issues when returning man to ministry or dismissing from the priesthood after treatment; meeting on procedures for re-admission of candidates into seminaries.
Overall, the AHCSA, before 2002, addressed its six mandates as follows:
- Dealing Effectively with Priests Who Sexually Abuse Minors and Others
The committee has concentrated on assisting with diocesan policies, evaluating treatment
centers, providing education through topical articles by competent authors, and acting as a clearinghouse in matters related to this mandate.
- Assisting Victims/Survivors
The committee has provided articles focused on victims/survivors of clergy sexual abuse, along with a special section in the report on diocesan policies, and has met several times with representatives of various national organizations and with individual victims/survivors. It also developed a 42-page article, published in Restoring Trust Vol. II, entitled Responding to Victims-Survivors.
- Addressing Morale of Bishops and Priests
The committee has provided a focal point to deal with criticism, responded with solid information, and presented regular reports to Bishops to help the Church to deal effectively with allegations of clergy sexual misconduct. It also urged the Committees for Bishops' Life and Ministry and Priestly Life and Ministry, the National Federation of Priests' Councils, and the National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy to address this concern.
- Screening Candidates for Ministry
Working with the Committee on Priestly Formation and the National Catholic Educational Association (Seminary Dept.), the committee in 1994 undertook a survey of theologates and college seminaries on psychological screening and formation in sexuality issues.
As for the theologates, the survey had a response from 29 of 36 institutions for diocesan seminarians. All respondents indicated that psychological testing was required and 26 of the 29 responding seminaries indicated that the pre-acceptance interview includes specific inquiry about sexual history and experience with relationships. Responses also showed that growth in sexual maturity and questions of relationships are specifically identified and dealt with as formation issues. Every seminary is doing something in this regard, some in a more organized way than others.
As for the college seminaries, 11 of 14 free-standing ones, and 13 out of 28 collaborative college seminary programs responded. As for pre-acceptance interviews, there was considerable variation across the board. However, every responding seminary indicated that growth in sexual maturity and experiences with relationships were specifically identified as formation issues. The committee has proposed some specific goals for consideration by the Priestly Formation Committee. These goals are now under active consideration by that committee.
- Assisting Bishops in Assessing Possible Reassignment
This issue of possible assignment to some sort of ministry is still under study by the committee. However, Volume I, Tab A, of Restoring Trust, notes policies on this point, including need for consultation and disclosure.
- Regarding Church Employees and Volunteers
Much of the material in Volumes I and II of Restoring Trust has application to church employees and volunteers.
January 6, 2002.
The Boston Globe launches a series of articles on the case of Father John Geoghan and the handling of clerical sex abuse cases in general in the Archdiocese of Boston which eventually sparks a national crisis for the Church in the United States.
February 19, 2002.
After previously responding to a critical editorial in USA Today, Belleville Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issues formal statement on the issue, expressing “profound sorrow that some of our priests were responsible for this abuse under our watch” and saying that “this is a time for Catholic people--bishops, clergy, religious, and laity--to resolve to work together to assure the safety of our children.”
March 14, 2002.
The Administrative Committee meets March 12-14 and issues a press release saying that the agenda of the upcoming June General Meeting of bishops will deal with the issue of sexual abuse of minors. It charges the AHCSA with the duty to review and report on recommendations leading to “a comprehensive response on the national level” to ensure “the safety of children and the healing of victims and their families.”
March, 2002.
The AHCSA begins drafting what will eventually become the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. It also drafts several questions to be presented to bishops at regional meetings to get feed back on the most significant issues with which the Charter will deal.
April 19, 2002.
Bishop Gregory expands the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse and names Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul and Minneapolis as its Chairman.
April 22-25, 2002.
At the Holy See’s request, the U.S. Cardinals and USCCB officers meet with the heads of the relevant offices of the Roman Curia to discuss the situation. In his address to the meeting, Pope John Paul II says, “The abuse which has caused this crisis is by every standard wrong and rightly considered a crime by society; it is also an appalling sin in the eyes of God. To the victims and their families, wherever they may be, I express my profound sense of solidarity and concern.” The meeting’s final communiqués stated that, “as part of the preparation for the June meeting of the American Bishops,” the United States participants in the meeting proposed “to send the respective Congregations of the Holy See a set of national standards which the Holy See will properly review (
recognitio), in which essential elements for policies dealing with the sexual abuse of minors in Dioceses and Religious Institutes in the United States are set forth.”
April-May, 2002.
Regional meetings are held and feed back gathered from over 200 bishops. The draft of the
Charter is completed.
June 4, 2002.
St. Paul and Minneapolis Archbishop Harry J. Flynn, chairman of the AHCSA, presents the draft
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People at a press briefing in Washington. It contains a series of steps aimed at the protection of children and young people in church ministries and institutions. Archbishop Flynn says that the AHCSA believes that these “steps are necessary to restore the calm and peace of the Church in this grave matter.”
June 14, 2002.
The
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) by a vote of 239-13 at their June General Meeting; canonical “essential norms” also adopted; Governor Frank Keating of Oklahoma appointed by Bishop Gregory as chairman of the Review Board called for in the
Charter to assist and monitor the Office of Child and Youth Protection which the
Charter also calls for.
June, 2002.
Canonical “essential norms” presented to Holy See with request for “recognitio” or approval.
June, 2002.
Governor Keating and three other early appointees -- Mr. Robert S. Bennett of the firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, Washington, D.C.; Anne M. Burke, justice of the Illinois Court of Appeals; and Michael J. Bland, Psy.D., clinical counselor and clinical-pastoral coordinator for victim assistance ministry, Archdiocese of Chicago. The Review Board comes to be called the National Review Board (NRB).
July 24, 2002.
Membership of NRB announced. Additional members are William R. Burleigh, chairman of the board and former CEO of the E.W. Scripps Company, Union, Kentucky; Nicholas P. Cafardi, dean of the Duquesne University Law School, Pittsburgh; Jane Chiles, former director of the Kentucky State Catholic Conference; Alice Bourke Hayes, president of the University of San Diego; Pamela D. Hayes, attorney in private practice with a concentration on criminal defense litigation and federal civil rights litigation, New York City; Paul R. McHugh, M.D., chairman, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, 1975 to 2001; Leon E. Panetta, director, Leon & Sylvia Panetta Institute for Public Policy, Monterey Bay, California; and Ray H. Siegfried, II, chairman of board, the NORDAM Group, Tulsa.
July 30, 2002.
NRB holds first meeting; requests a “snapshot survey” of preliminary response by dioceses to
Charter.
August 23, 2002.
Final NRB member appointed: Justice Petra J. Maes of the New Mexico Supreme Court.
September 5, 2002.
Membership of restructured AHCSA announced; as required by the
Charter, the Committee now has a bishop member from each of the 14 regions into which the dioceses are divided by the USCCB.
September 19, 2002.
Results of “snapshot survey” requested by NRB announced; with almost all dioceses reporting, the vast majority show efforts to fulfill
Charter requirements.
October 18, 2002.
Holy See and USCCB announce appointment of a “mixed commission” made up of representatives of the relevant offices of the Holy See and members of the USCCB, appointed by the Conference president, to “reflect on and revise” the canonical “essential norms.”
October 23, 2002.
Membership of “mixed commission” announced; representing the Holy See: Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, Archbishop Julian Herranz, president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Archbishop Francesco Monterisi, secretary for the Congregation for Bishops.
Representing the USCCB: Cardinal Francis George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, Archbishop William Levada of San Francisco; Bishop Thomas Doran of Rockford; and Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport.
October 28-29, 2002.
Mixed Commission meets and completes its work.
November 7, 2002.
Kathleen McChesney, a senior FBI official, is appointed first executive director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection (OCYP) required by the
Charter. The appointment is effective December 1, 2002.
Sister Andre Fries, a member of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of O'Fallon, Missouri, is named deputy to the general secretary of the USCCB to deal with the response to the sexual abuse crisis.
November 13, 2002.
At its General Meeting, November 11-14, the USCCB adopts the text of the
Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons as revised by the Mixed Commission by a vote of 246 to 7; parallel revisions to the
Charter are also adopted. A “Statement of Episcopal Commitment” is adopted as well, focusing on the “accountability which flows from [the bishops’] episcopal communion and fraternal solidarity, a moral responsibility we have with and for each other.”
December 8, 2002.
Essential Norms receive
recognitio (approval) from the Holy See’s Congregation for Bishops.
December 12, 2002.
Bishop Gregory promulgates Essential Norms with an effective date of March 1, 2003 from which they will bind all Dioceses and Eparchies of the USCCB as particular law.
February, 2003.
“Safe environment” guidelines sent to bishops;
Charter requires dioceses to have “safe environment”-type programs
Weeks of February 17 & 24, 2003.
Training of 210 canonists in the norms of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in handling cases of sexual abuse of minors by the clerics and in the USCCB’s
Essential Norms. Participating in the workshop is Monsignor Charles Scicluna, the Promoter of Justice of the CDF.
March 1, 2003.
Essential Norms come into effect.
March, 2003.
Sheila Horan, formerly of the FBI, is appointed Deputy Executive Director of the OCYP.
March, 2003.
The Gavin Group, Inc., of Boston, Massachusetts, is selected to do a compliance audit of diocesan implementation of the
Charter in accord with Article 8 of the “
Charter which requires the OCYP to produce an annual public report on the progress made in implementing the standards in the “Charter.”
March, 2003.
The John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York is selected in accord with Article 9 of the
Charter which says that the NRB will “commission a descriptive study, with the full cooperation of our dioceses/eparchies (dioceses of the Eastern Catholic Churches), of the nature and scope of the problem” of sexual abuse of minors by clergy within the Catholic Church in the United States.
April-June, 2003.
The AHCSA conducts workshops on implementing the
Charter and the
Essential Norms and preparing for the compliance audit process for bishops/eparchs in all 14 regions around the country into which the USCCB membership is divided.
Week of May 19, 2003.
Training for the compliance audit to assess whether dioceses are fulfilling the standards to the
Charter takes place. The Gavin Group trains over 50 auditors, mostly former law enforcement agents.
May, 2003.
Research begins for the study on the “nature and scope” study conducted by John Jay College.
June 16, 2003.
Former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating resigns from the NRB; Justice Burke, vice chairperson, assumes the leadership of the NRB and is later named Interim Chair.
June 21, 2003.
St. Paul and Minneapolis Archbishop Harry J. Flynn, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse (AHCSA), reports to the Bishops at the USCCB Spring General Meeting in St. Louis on the Conference(s efforts to resolve the sexual abuse crisis since their meeting the previous year in Dallas.
June, 2003.
Compliance audit of all dioceses and eparchies called for in the
Charter begins, conducted by the Gavin Group.
July 29, 2003.
The NRB holds a news conference in Chicago to present a report “to make an accounting of [its] stewardship” based on its year of activity.
August 5-7, 2003.
Comprehensive training conference for diocesan Victim Assistance coordinators held at Mundelein seminary outside Chicago.
August 11-12, 2003.
Additional canon law seminar presented by Monsignor Scicluna of the CDF (please see “Weeks of February 17 & 24, 2003” above.)
September/October, 2003.
USCCB releases on its Web site and makes available to dioceses in DVD and cassette form a video featuring Bishop Gregory reflecting on the crisis and reviewing the implementation of the actions taken in Dallas in June, 2002. Another video is also released in which Bishop Gregory explains the major elements of the
Charter. Additional material is made available to assist dioceses in building “Charter Awareness.”
November, 2003.
The AHCSA is re-authorized for a three-year period. Audits of 191 dioceses and eparchies are concluded.
January 6, 2004.
Report on the Implementation of the `Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People’ released on January 6, 2004. It finds all dioceses and eparchies “to be compliant with some or all articles” of the
Charter, with about 90 percent fully compliant.
February 27, 2004.
Two further reports are released:
A Report on the Crisis in the Catholic Church in the United States, prepared by the National Review Board for the Protection of Children & Young People and
The Nature and Scope of the Problem of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests and Deacons in the United States, a Research Study Conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The latter study finds that, for the period of the study, 1950 through 2002, 4,392 priests were accused of sexual abuse and over 10,667 individuals made allegations of sexual abuse by clergy. The estimate of the total costs to the Church for payment to victims, for treatment and of priests, and legal expenses exceeded $500,000,000. The study also finds that more abuse occurred in the 1970s than any other decade, peaking in 1980 and that approximately one-third of all cases were reported in 2002-2003, and two-thirds have been reported since 1993. Prior to 1993, only one-third of cases were known to the church officials.
March 23-24, 2004.
Administrative Committee refers decision for 2004 audit to the full body of bishops.
May 17, 2004.
The AHCSA and the National Review Board hold their first joint meeting to discuss future audits and other issues related to implementation of the Charter and recommendations by the Ad Hoc Committee and the National Review Board to the full body of Bishops for action at the June meeting in Denver; a proposal regarding possible further analyses of the data gathered for
The Nature and Scope of the Problem of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests and Deacons in the United States, conducted by the John Jay College; recommendation for the bishops at their June meeting regarding the Request for Proposal for the study on the causes and contexts of the sexual abuse crisis; and process for the recommendation of future potential members of the National Review Board.
June, 2004.
At their general meeting in Denver, the bishops authorize an on-site audit of all dioceses during 2004 as the basis for the OCYP’s second annual report. The bishops also approve developing the RFP seeking a research organization to conduct the comprehensive study of the causes and context of the current sexual abuse crisis, as called for in Article 9 of the
Charter.
July 6, 2004.
The Archdiocese of Portland files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to resolve multimillion-dollar claims against it by alleged victims of childhood molestation by priests, becoming the first Catholic diocese within recent memory to do so. Tucson and Spokane also file in September and November, respectively.
September 9, 2004.
The AHCSA and the National Review Board discuss the timeline for the
Charter review, nominations to the NRB, and the recommendations from the first
Charter implementation report at their second joint meeting.
September 14-15, 2004.
The Administrative Committee designates the June, 2005 general meeting for the completion of the review of the
Charter which is mandated by the
Charter.
October 8, 2004.
Archbishop Flynn sends the bishops materials for the
Charter review process, including a draft of a revised Charter, asking for consultations at regional and/or provincial meetings of bishops and within dioceses, including priests’ council, the diocesan pastoral council, the diocesan review board, child protection personnel, and educators. He also indicated that AHCSA would consult with the Nation Review Board, as specified in the
Charter, and with the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the National Advisory Council, and victims.
October 15, 2004.
Bishop Gregory announces the appointment of a chairman and 5 new members for the National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People (NRB). Nicholas P. Cafardi, dean of the Duquesne University Law School, Pittsburgh, and serving board member, is named chairman through the conclusion of his term in June, 2005. The new members, appointed for three-year terms concluding October 31, 2007, are: Dr. Patricia O'Donnell Ewers, educational consultant and president emeritus of Pace University; Dr. Angelo P. Giardino, vice-president for clinical affairs of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia; Mr. Ralph I. Lancaster, Esq. of the firm of Pierce Atwood, Portland, Maine; Judge Michael R. Merz, United States Magistrate Judge; Mr. Joseph Russoniello, Esq., senior counsel and resident in the San Francisco office of Cooley Godward, LLP. These appointments fill the positions opened up by the departure of several Board members: former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, first NRB chairman; Justice Anne M. Burke, interim chair of the NRB; Mr. Robert S. Bennett; Mr. William R. Burleigh; and the Hon. Leon E. Panetta.
October 29, 2004.
The NRB announces the release of a Request for Grant Proposals (RFP) for a comprehensive study on the causes of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests and deacons in the United States and the social context in which it occurred as mandate by the
Charter.
November 15-18, 2004.
At their general meeting in Washington, D.C., the bishops elect Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane president and Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago vice-president of the USCCB. The bishops approve a plan for a 2005 audit to involve some full on-site audit visits, some focused visits, and some self-reporting. The bishops also approve a plan to for each diocese to report annually the number of new allegations, priests accused, victims, disposition of allegations and costs. This information is to be released as a national aggregate as with the John Jay study.
November 15, 2004.
Dr. Kathleen McChesney announces her plans to leave the OCYP as of February 25, 2005, two months beyond her two-year contract and after the completion of the second
Report on the Implementation of the `Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.’
December, 2004.
Sheila Horan leaves the position of Deputy Executive Director of the OCYP and is succeeded by Sheila Kelly, former executive director of Human Resources for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
February 15, 2005.
Charter revisions discussed at a joint meeting of the AHCSA and the National Review Board.
February 18, 2005.
The second
Report on the Implementation of the `Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People’ is released, including the first annual survey by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) of new allegations of sexual abuse of minors, the clergy against whom these allegations were made, and the amount of money dioceses/eparchies have expended as a result of allegations as well as the amount they have paid for child protection efforts to be reported as nationwide aggregates.
March 30, 2005.
The U.S. Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse launches a survey of survivors of clergy sexual abuse of minors to get input into improving the Church’s response to the problem and its prevention. This Response and Prevention Project is directed by Mary A. Lentz, Esq. Its goals are threefold: (#1) To provide victims/survivors of child sexual abuse a voice in helping other victims/survivors, (#2) To assist diocese/eparchies in developing appropriate responses to victims/survivors of child sexual abuse, and (#3) To identify preventive measures of child sexual abuse to be used by diocese/eparchies/religious communities.
April 26, 2005.
Teresa M. Kettelkamp, who served as an official with the Illinois State Police for 29 years and was the first woman to attain the rank of Colonel in the State Police, is named executive director of the OYCP.
May, 2005.
Representatives of bishops’ conferences of English-speaking countries who have responsibilities with regard to sexual abuse matters meet in Rome.
June 10, 2005.
Patricia O'Donnell Ewers, an educational consultant and serving member of the NRB, is named chairperson of the Board, succeeding Nicholas P. Cafardi, dean of the Duquesne University Law School, Pittsburgh. New members, appointed for three-year terms concluding June 30, 2008, are: Dr. Joseph G. Rhode, President of Midland Family Physicians in Texas; William D. McGarry, President of Anna Maria College, Paxton, MA; Thomas A. DeStefano, former Interim President of Catholic Charities USA and Executive Director of Brooklyn Catholic Charities; and Milann H. Siegfried, a philanthropist who was chairperson of the St. John Medical Center's Board of Directors in Tulsa.
June 16-18, 2005.
At its spring meeting, the USCCB revises and renews the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People for 5 years. The bishops also approve revised
Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons and renew their “Statement of Episcopal Commitment.” With the revision of the
Charter, the Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse becomes a standing Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People.
November, 2005.
The Response and Prevention Project is completed (see March 30, 2005) and its report is submitted.
November 14-17, 2005.
At their fall meeting, the bishops elect Austin Bishop Gregory M. Aymond as the chairman of the Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People,
November 15, 2005.
NRB selects the John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York to conduct a major study of the causes and context of the clergy sex abuse problem. The U.S. bishops have previously committed $1 million towards the study with further funding being sought from Catholic and other philanthropic groups.
February, 2006.
Bishop Aymond meets with the NRB.
March 13, 2006.
First full meeting of the reconstituted Committee for the Protection of Children and Yong People.
Besides Bishop Aymond as chairman, the membership is: Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Bishop Kevin J. Boland of Savannah, Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Rapid City, Bishop William J. Dendinger of Grand Island, Bishop Thomas G. Doran of Rockford, Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany, Bishop Richard Malone of Portland, Maine, Auxiliary Bishop W. Francis Malooly of Baltimore, Bishop James A. Murray of Kalamazoo, Bishop David L. Ricken of Cheyenne, Bishop Thomas J. Rodi of Biloxi, Archbishop Stefan Soroka of Philadelphia for the Ukrainians, Bishop Edward S. Slattery of Tulsa, and Bishop George L. Thomas of Helena.
March 14-15, 2006.
Plans developed by the Bishops’ Committee, the NRB, and the OCYP for future OCYP reports and the audits on which they are based are approved by the USCCB Administrative Committee.
March 30, 2006.
At a news conference in Washington DC, the third Report on the Implementation of the Charter, including the second annual CARA report of current allegations and costs, is released. Also released is a Supplemental Data Analysis done by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the data gathered for its report on the “Nature and Scope of the Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Clergy 1950-2002” released in February, 2004.
May 5, 2006.
Having received the required
recognitio from the Congregation for Bishops of the Holy See, dated January 1, 2006, Bishop Skylstad issues a decree promulgating the revised
Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons (
see June 16-18, 2005). Bishop Skylstad sets May 15, 2006 as the date from which the revised norms would bind all Dioceses and Eparchies of the USCCB as particular law. The decree of the Congregation grants the
recognitio “donec aliter provideatur” (until otherwise provided for), that is, indefinitely.
May 24-28, 2006.
Representatives of bishops’ conferences of English-speaking countries who have responsibilities with regard to sexual abuse matters meet in Rome. The meeting includes sessions with Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the CDF, and Msgr. Scicluna.
June 15-17, 2006.
General meeting of the USCCB in Los Angeles. Representatives of John Jay College of Criminal Justice are on hand throughout the meeting to interview bishops about the causes and context study mandated by the
Charter. Joint meeting of the Committee for the Protection of Children and Yong People and the National Review Board whose membership is: Patricia O'Donnell Ewers, Ph.D., Chair, Michael J. Bland, Psy.D., D.Min., Mrs. Jane Chiles, Mr. Thomas DeStefano, Angelo P. Giardino, M.D., Ralph I. Lancaster, Jr., Esq., Paul R. McHugh, M.D., Mr. William McGarry, the Honorable Petra Jimenez Maes, the Honorable Michael R. Merz, Joseph G. Rhode, M.D., Joseph P. Russoniello, Esq., and Milann Siegfried, R.N.