CNS STORY: Clergy sex abuse crisis 'is not over,' child protection director says

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AUDIT-PRESS Feb-18-2005 (900 words) With photos. xxxn

Clergy sex abuse crisis 'is not over,' child protection director says

By Jerry Filteau
Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- "The crisis of sexual abuse of minors within the Catholic Church is not over," Kathleen McChesney, executive director of the U.S. bishops' Office of Child and Youth Protection, told reporters Feb. 18.

McChesney spoke at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, convened to release the findings of the second national audit of dioceses, assessing their compliance in 2004 with the bishops' "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People." Her office is responsible for coordinating the audits each year and compiling them into a public national report.

The audit report itself contained firm warnings against complacency, saying there is need for "continued external oversight and evaluation" of dioceses.

An accompanying statistical study reported that during the past year there were 1,092 new allegations of past abuse by 1,083 victims involving 756 accused priests or deacons and that dioceses and religious orders spent nearly $158 million on abuse-related matters -- settlements with victims, therapy, legal fees and other costs such as child protection programs and background checks on church personnel and volunteers.

As McChesney highlighted some of the findings of the audit and statistical study and the situation still facing the church, she punctuated the data with the refrain, "We know this crisis is not over."

"We know this crisis is not over because many men and women who have been abused and their family members continue to suffer from psychological, spiritual and emotional wounds," she said. "We know this crisis is not over because, despite the efforts of many, some victims have been frustrated, hurt and sometimes humiliated, by the response of the church. ... We know this crisis is not over because over 300 reports received in 2004 identified alleged abusers previously not known."

"What is over is the denial that this problem exists, and what is over is the reluctance of the church to deal openly with the public about the nature and extent of the problem," she added.

"While a measurable amount of progress has been made, much more is required, but nothing that is beyond our ability," she said.

Also participating in the press conference were Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; William A. Gavin, head of the Boston-based Gavin Group Inc., which carried out the audits; and Nicholas P. Cafardi, dean of Duquesne University's law school and chairman of the all-lay National Review Board formed by the bishops to provide an ongoing independent assessment of how well they implement the charter.

Gavin, a former assistant director of the FBI, said the 2004 audits, conducted on-site by his investigators, show that "much has been done by motivated people, sincerely dedicated toward bringing closure to past misdeeds and to heal those who have been so abused."

"More, however, can and must be done before this closure is fully realized," he said.

Cafardi said completing the second year of audits "is movement in the right direction, but it is not a cure."

"For even after two years, we continue to see the depths and the pain of the crisis," he said. He added that annual audits will be needed to assure that the church continues to improve its work of child protection.

Gavin said that in 2005 all dioceses will be audited with the same "completeness."

A reporter questioned that assertion, noting the bishops have agreed that dioceses found to be in full compliance in 2004 may be allowed do a self-audit rather than an on-site visit by outside investigators in 2005.

Gavin said, "The same audit instrument for 2005 will be used for every diocese." While dioceses without compliance problems in 2004 will be allowed to fill out the 2005 responses themselves, he said, independent auditors will review those responses. If the auditors have any questions and those cannot be resolved by telephone or e-mail follow-up, "they will go on the scene" to complete the audit.

McChesney said that when one adds the 1,083 new claimants who came forward in 2004 to the 10,667 recorded in a previous study of all cases from 1950 through 2002, the cumulative number of apparent victims from the two studies is 11,750.

While the number of complaints lodged across the country in 2003 has not yet been tallied nationally, "that is something that is being discussed," she said.

"It hasn't been presented to the body of bishops" in the form of a proposal yet, "but it is possible to do that if they agree."

Bishop Skylstad said, "The bishops have certainly been very committed to sharing information on the reality of abuse in this country." He indicated an openness to gathering the 2003 data, saying, "There is no reason for us to hide that information. We want to be very open and transparent -- the charter calls us to do that."

Near the end of her opening remarks to the media, McChesney made an appeal to any victims of abuse who have not come forward yet, saying, "I urge you to consider doing so, particularly if your offender might still be in ministry. Please help us to help you and to protect others as well.

"Our goal is to heal where that is possible and to protect because we must," she added. "Continued vigilance and dedication to this effort is not a choice, it is a necessity."

END

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