Diocese is responding to national survey; plans public disclosure

Although some dioceses have reportedly balked at responding to a national survey on clergy sexual abuse, the Albany Diocese is not only gathering the information but will also release it publicly in conjunction with the survey, according to Rev. Kenneth J. Doyle, chancellor for communications.

The U.S. bishops committed themselves to a study on the problem of clergy sexual abuse of minors at their national meeting in Dallas a year ago, when they adopted their "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People."

The Charter says, "To understand the problem more fully and to enhance the effectiveness of our future response, the National Review Board will commission a comprehensive study of the causes and context of the current crisis."

Balking

According to an article from the Associated Press last week, some of the 195 dioceses in the U.S. are delaying their responses because of concerns that some questions are ambiguous or that answers could be used against the Church in lawsuits. However, about 120 dioceses have responded, the AP article said.

The researchers are asking for such information as the number of priests accused of abusing minors; the number of alleged victims, their age and gender; and how such allegations were resolved.

Questions also cover information about accused priests' subsequent assignments, treatment and discipline; whether there were criminal prosecutions or lawsuits; and costs attributed to abuse claims through court awards, settlements, treatment, lawyers' fees and the like.

Father Doyle told The Evangelist: "We're complying with the survey as part of our year-long, ongoing commitment to carrying out the Charter. We will submit the data shortly and plan to release it to the public."

National study

The National Review Board on sexual abuse, formed last year by the U.S. bishops, selected John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City to do the study.

The 13-member board is headed by former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating.

The board has been conducting the other major study, on the causes and context of the crisis, through extensive interviews with bishops and experts in various fields. (Reporting by The Evangelist and Catholic News Service.)

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