CAMDEN (March 30, 2006) — An independent audit has found the Diocese of Camden to be in full compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which was adopted by the U.S. Bishops in June 2002.
The audit of the Diocese of Camden was conducted Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 2005 by the Gavin Group, Inc. of Boston, an independent firm of experienced compliance auditors, many of whom are former FBI agents and law enforcement officers. The Gavin Group was retained by the U.S. bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection to measure the progress made by each diocese to implement the Charter.
The Diocese of Camden was found to be compliant in two previous audits, which were conducted in 2003 and 2004. The audit reviewed the diocese’s program of
- outreach to victims, including pastoral care and victim assistance;
- the reporting of allegations by the diocese to civil authorities;
- its long-standing cooperation with law enforcement; a range of safe-environment and prevention programs;
- its open, active communication with parishioners and the public (see Charter Compliance Highlights, below).
Dioceses—including Camden—that were found fully compliant during the 2004 audit were given the option in 2005 of completing a self-reporting audit instrument in lieu of the full, on-site audit. The Diocese of Camden chose the full, on-site audit. “While not required, Bishop Joseph Galante chose to have the full, on-site audit conducted to subject our procedures to outside review and accountability,” said Andrew Walton spokesman for the diocese.
“The audit reveals once again how seriously the diocese takes its obligation to fully implement the Charter provisions and to provide the safest possible environment for young people.”
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The Diocese of Camden serves 460,000 Catholics in 134 Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem County parishes and missions. The diocese serves the South Jersey community through faith, education and social services.
CHARTER COMPLAINCE HIGHLIGHTS REPORTING SEXUAL ABUSE
The Diocese of Camden believes that sexual abuse is a grave wrong that can never be tolerated. When it involves a child, it is a crime that must be reported, investigated and responded to so that victims are protected and those who commit abuse are removed from active ministry. A special toll-free 800 number (1-800-964-6588), which is connected to the diocese’s Victims Assistance Coordinator, Barbara Ann Gondek, was established by the diocese in April 2002 to ensure that all allegations of abuse—no matter how long ago the abuse is alleged to have taken place, whether the alleged victim is a minor or now an adult, and regardless of whether the alleged perpetrator is living or deceased—are reported to the local county prosecutor and to the diocese.
In accord with the landmark “Memorandum of Understanding” between the New Jersey dioceses and county prosecutors, anyone who becomes aware of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy, employees or volunteers of the parish or diocese, must report the alleged abuse to law enforcement. A list of local county prosecutors and the local offices of the Division of Youth and Family Services can be found on the Diocese’s web site at www.464edee1fa.nxcli.io. During the audit period, seven (7) individuals, six of whom are now adults, came forward to report allegations of sexual abuse involving nine (9) priests. All of the accusations were reported to county prosecutors.
Of the nine (9) accused priests, three (3) were deceased, three (3) had already been removed from ministry, one (1) was removed from ministry during the audit period as a result of the allegation, one (1) was returned to ministry after the allegation was determined to be unfounded by the Diocesan Review Board (DRB) and one (1) allegation was deemed not credible by the county prosecutor’s office.
PREVENTION
Office of Safe Environment for Children, Youth & Adults: The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People states that dioceses will establish “safe environment” programs to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children.
It also states that dioceses will make clear to clergy and all members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse.” (Charter, Article 12). To this end, the Diocese in 2004 established its Office of Safe Environment for Children Youth & Adults under the direction of Rod J. Herrera, L.C.S.W to oversee its programs of prevention, including background checks, safe-environment training and codes of conduct.
Background Checks: Realizing that the best way to obtain accurate criminal histories is through the use of fingerprints, the Diocese requires that a criminal history background check based on fingerprints processed through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New Jersey State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) be performed on all clergy, as well as employees and volunteers who have regular contact with minors. The full text of the Diocese’s policy can be found on the diocesan web site at www.464edee1fa.nxcli.io.
6,887 criminal history background checks have been conducted. Checks have been conducted on all those who have regular contact with minors: 270 priests, 110 deacons, 1,497 educators, 326 diocesan and parish employees, 19 seminarians and 4,665 volunteers. Safe Environment Training: All adult employees and volunteers who are 18 years of age or older and have regular contact with minors are required by the Diocese to undergo safe environment training.
This has been accomplished in this Diocese through the CAP (Child Assault Prevention) program which has been presented in our parishes and schools for many years. The training includes how to identify sexual abuse, what are the policies and procedures for reporting abuse, as well as training for young people regarding personal safety. Adult employees and volunteers who are 18 years or older who have regular contact with minors and have not yet had training should contact the Office of Safe Environment for Children, Youth and Adults at (856) 756-7900, ext. 6010 to register for an upcoming training.
62,062 individuals in the diocese have received Safe Environment Training: 20,640 elementary and high school students, 33,734 religious education students, 265 priests, 108 deacons, 1497 educators, 373 diocesan/parish employees, 534 parents and 4,911 volunteers.
Code of Conduct: The Diocese’s “Guidelines for the Conduct of Spiritual Directors and Other Counselors” have been developed to assist clerics, religious, employees, independent contractors and volunteers serving in the Diocese who provide spiritual direction and counseling. These include specific pastoral guidelines for dealing with minors. The text of these guidelines can also be found on the Diocese’s web site at www.464edee1fa.nxcli.io.
ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS
Assistance Coordinator: In 2002 the Diocese of Camden named Barbara Ann Gondek, D.Min., L.C.S.W., C-CATODSW its Victims Assistance Coordinator to provide a comprehensive program of outreach to victims of sexual abuse by clergy and other church personnel of the diocese. Ms. Gondek holds a Doctorate in Ministry from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Masters in Social Work from Widener University and a Masters in Religious Education from La Salle University. She is a licensed clinical social worker and is a certi.ed New Jersey school social worker.
Program of Ou
treach: Among these efforts are Counseling and assistance referrals and the longstanding policy of the Diocese of Camden to pay for treatment and professional counseling for anyone who claims to have been abused by clergy or an employee. Ms. Gondek also facilitates meetings between victims and Bishop Joseph Galante as part of the diocese’s program of pastoral outreach. Ms. Gondek’s work is overseen by a Clinical Advisory Panel to ensure that the needs of victims are being met. 24 victim survivors and family members were served by the diocese’s program of outreach during the audit period.
Support Group: A weekly support group facilitated by an independent, licensed clinical social worker is available to victims of clergy sexual abuse in the diocese. Those who are interested in attending the sessions should contact the Diocese’s Victims Assistance Coordinator, Barbara Ann Gondek, at (856) 524-4552.
Clinical Advisory Panel: The Diocese has established a Clinical Advisory Panel which conducts periodic assessments to ensure that those seeking treatment are in the care of a competent professional who has undertaken a course of treatment that is addressing the individual’s needs and is focused on the effects of sexual abuse. The members of the Panel are Robert E. Crawford, Ed.D., M.S., Nancy Rocereto, CSW; and Julie Ann Lipman, Psy.D., UMDNJ.
REMOVAL FROM MINISTRY
The policy of the Diocese of Camden is that even one instance of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy which is substantiated or admitted to will result in permanent removal from ministry. Following a report to the county prosecutor’s office:
- The diocese’s Victims’ Assistance Coordinator will initiate outreach to the alleged victim;
- The complaint will be forwarded to the Diocesan Review Board (see below);
- If there is sufficient evidence that the abuse has occurred, the accused will be removed from ministry, may be asked to avail himself of treatment and/or counseling, and the bishop will notify the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in Rome;
- When even a single act of sexual abuse of a minor by a cleric is admitted or established after an appropriate process in accord with canon law, the offending cleric will be removed permanently from ministry, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state, if the case so warrants. Of the nine (9) priests accused during the audit period, three (3) are deceased, three (3) were no longer in ministry, one (1) was removed from ministry during the audit period as a result of the allegation, one (1) was returned to ministry after the allegation was determined to be unfounded and one (1) was deemed not credible by the county prosecutor’s office. All nine names were reported to local county prosecutors’ offices. Two (2) cases involving living priests accused during the audit period are pending before the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
REVIEW BOARD
The Diocese of Camden in 2002 named the Honorable Philip A. Gruccio, former Judge of the Appellate Division of the Superior Court, to head a nine-person board to assist the diocesan bishop in assessing the credibility of allegations of sexual abuse by clergy and other church personnel.
The board also provides advice to the bishop regarding fitness for ministry for those who have been accused and will regularly review diocesan policies and procedures related to sexual abuse.
The members, who have been appointed for a renewable term of five years, are: Judge Philip A. Gruccio, Rev. William A. Hodge, Pastor, Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Atlantic City; Ms. Patricia Schultz, MSW, LSW, former administrator, Camden County Board of Social Services; Rev. Msgr. Eugene J. Fitzsimmons, J.C.D., Judge, Diocesan Tribunal; Ms. Carol Malcarney, Inter-Faith Caregivers, Haddonfield, NJ and member of First Baptist Church, Haddonfield, NJ; Philip Miraglia, Ph.D., Psychologist; Shirley Grasso, Esquire, Attorney, Hammonton, NJ; Sister Lorraine Klein, FMIJ, Principal – St. Margaret, Woodbury Heights; Sister Grace Nolan, RSM, Former Executive Director of Atlantic & Cape May County Catholic Charities.
The Diocesan Review Board (DRB) determined that one (1) allegation reported during the audit period against one living priest was unfounded.