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DOLAN-PROTOCOLS Apr-21-2005 (880 words) xxxn
Milwaukee archbishop to hold off on new programs to monitor priests
By Maryangela Layman Roman
Catholic News Service
MILWAUKEE (CNS) -- After the priests of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee received information about two new programs intended to support and monitor clergy involved in misconduct or those who suffer from addictions, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan said he has suspended the programs indefinitely because of negative reaction from his priests.
The Clerical Support Initiative, known as CSI, spelled out monitoring protocols for priests or deacons involved in sexual misconduct with an adult or clerics who have been arrested for disorderly conduct, lewd and lascivious behavior or who suffer from drug, alcohol, gambling or sexual addictions.
The Clergy Advocacy and Monitoring Program, called CAMP, is for priests or deacons facing substantiated complaints of, or ongoing investigations into, sexual misconduct with minors.
The intent of both programs, according to Deacon David Zimprich, a retired Milwaukee Police lieutenant who was to oversee them, is not only to monitor offending priests, but to offer them a support system.
While Archbishop Dolan temporarily suspended plans to begin the programs, he said that "the policy itself is still a draft document subject to intense scrutiny."
"Whatever the intention was, the process was completely ill-advised and I bear the blame. A good chunk of priests whose trust I cherish are angry and I'm kicking myself for allowing it to happen," the archbishop said. "Now that it's backfired, I have so many regrets."
He said he hopes refined documents, prepared after rigorous consultations from priests, will be reissued.
In a mailing sent out in early April, about 400 priests and 150 deacons of the archdiocese received inserts to the clergy manual that detailed the two programs, which were made public in an April 15 news story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel daily newspaper.
Both programs spell out 19 monitoring protocols that could place restrictions on the priest or deacon; for example, if the individual has an alcohol addiction, he would agree to participate in a 12-step program.
Not all the monitoring protocols were to apply to each person in the program; rather the program was to be fashioned individually for each cleric enrolled. Before the monitoring protocols could be implemented, the cleric would receive a written copy of all restrictions and be required to sign a form stating he was given the restrictions.
The archbishop admitted many of the priests were caught off guard by the policies.
"The vast, overwhelming majority of priests are angry, believing it almost appears as though I don't trust them," said Archbishop Dolan. "Had I consulted with the priests who are very savvy, they would have recognized the flaws and advised me, 'If (the policy) goes out like this, here's the perception... .' It all goes back to the tremendous urgency of consultation."
Once the policies had circulated, reaction from priests was swift and clear.
Father Ken Mich, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Menomonee Falls and spokesman for the Milwaukee Archdiocese Priest Alliance, formed in 2003 as a support network and independent voice for priests, said he has been hearing concerns on two issues.
Priests, he said, are concerned with both the content of the policies as well as how they were developed and promulgated.
While he admitted there is much anger and confusion surrounding their release, he said the attitude of alliance members "is to be very cooperative. Let's work this through together."
Father Tony Zimmer, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Milwaukee, explained the anger felt by many priests.
"At first my reaction was confusion. What was it really about?" he said, responding to an inquiry from the Catholic Herald, Milwaukee archdiocesan newspaper. "As I read it, my reaction grew from confusion to lots of questions to lots of concerns then to anger and hurt. When it appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, then it became more public and I became embarrassed. It is an embarrassment for our priests and for our diocese."
He noted, however, that an e-mailed apology Archbishop Dolan sent to priests the afternoon of April 15 was a step in the right direction. "But more needs to take place ... further dialogue, further clarification," he said.
In his e-mail, Archbishop Dolan said: "Like the rest of you, I woke up this morning to the headlines and article in the newspaper, and found myself upset. I'm perhaps even more upset than you all because I caused it."
He admitted that the perception in the public as a result of the newspaper article "is that we have declared martial law on priests, are continuing to trample on their rights and do not trust them at all."
He said he also regrets not asking the presbyteral council to review it prior to the distribution. He added that he holds himself, Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Sklba and retired Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland to the same expectations he has of the priests.
According to Archbishop Dolan, many dioceses are trying to come up with similar monitoring policies.
"Every diocese is wondering about this. It's good we tried to put this in writing, but unfortunately I blew it. I do worry that a very timely, necessary (initiative) is coming to a halt because I botched it," he said. But he remains hopeful that with more consultation from priests an improved policy can be established.
END
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