Diocese takes two major steps on abuse crisis: POLICY CHANGED AFTER REPORT FROM TASK FORCE

By JAMES BREIG- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

A blue-ribbon task force, appointed by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard to examine the Diocese of Albany's policy on sexual abuse by clergy, has praised the effectiveness of that policy while offering recommendations for improving it.

Bishop Hubbard immediately adopted those recommendations and revised the policy. (The complete text of the policy and the task force's report are on our website's home page.)

"I am very gratified for the enormous amount of time the task force spent and the advice they gave me," Bishop Hubbard said. "The changes assure that our policy is even better designed to protect children and bring healing to victims. It is gratifying to know we've been dealing constructively with the cases we have had."

Praise for policy

The six-member task force credited the Albany diocesan policy, put into place in 1993, for dealing fairly and appropriately with abuse cases.

Noting that "public confidence in the welfare and safety of youth, and in the credibility of religious authorities, has been severely shaken by the discovery of multiple acts of clerical sexual misconduct with minors, of instances of ill-advised reassignment of offending clerics, and of payments made to victims with the seeming intent to discourage disclosure" in other dioceses, the task force emphasized that "it is clear from our review and analysis that [such failures] are not representative of the Diocese of Albany."

Going further, the task force saluted the Albany Diocese for demonstrating "an informed commitment to healing in the treatment of victims of clergy misconduct. All victims were provided with appropriate treatment and other ameliorative opportunities in a timely manner.

"In addition,...the Diocese of Albany has demonstrated due diligence in evaluating, treating, and, when indicated, removing clerics whose conduct has been in violation of the high ethical standards applicable to those in positions of trust."

Recommendations

The task force also made several recommendations for altering the policy:

* "That the Diocese...affirmatively advise the complainant...of his or her absolute right to submit the complaint to the office of the district attorney or child protective agency having jurisdiction.

* "That all allegations...will be promptly reported by the Diocese to the office of the district attorney having jurisdiction....

* "That there be consideration for the immediate placement of the accused cleric on administrative leave pending investigation, criminal or civil action to protect minors or others at risk."

* That the Bishop's Advisory Panel for Clergy Sexual Misconduct should be expanded "to include representation of law enforcement and the victim's perspective."

* That "all 'money settlements' with victims and their families exclude a confidentiality covenant."

(05-23-02) [[In-content Ad]]