| > back | Bishop's Statements Letter on Sexual Abuse Dear Brothers and Sisters, One of society’s highest responsibilities is the protection of its most vulnerable members. Sharing in this responsibility, the Church has been in the past—and remains today—a voice for the powerless, young or elderly, ill or underprivileged. Whenever someone takes advantage of a vulnerable person, we must act in the defense and the protection of the injured person. The gravest and tragic breach of trust occurs when one who is charged to protect the innocent violates that trust. This is a real tragedy, it is sinful, and it is a crime. The tragedy of sexual abuse of minors by priests in some places in the United States has been prominent in media coverage in recent weeks. These deplorable events make it imperative that I review for you the policies that direct the ways we deal with this issue in the context of the ministry of our priests, religious and lay ministers in the Diocese of San José. The Diocese of San José has been pro-active in this matter. Our Diocesan Policy on Sexual Misconduct was codified in 1987 and revised in 1993 and 1999. In March 2001, we expanded this general policy when we established the Diocesan Policy on Sexual Abuse by Clergy. Further, I want you to know that we follow these policies, which comply with all civil laws that require the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse. We treat all allegations most seriously. We will never simply move a priest, deacon or lay person who is found guilty of any form of abuse to another assignment. We believe that education and prevention are the best forms of defense against abuse. Priests, all diocesan employees, and volunteers who are responsible for children or vulnerable adults undergo training on how to identify and avoid sexual harassment or exploitation and sexual abuse. We have trained our priests to carry out their role as California “mandated reporters” of any kind of suspected abuse or neglect against children, the elderly and other vulnerable persons. The Diocese has stringent screening procedures for those who are training for ministry as priests and deacons. The priests, seminarians and deacon candidates of our Diocese have submitted to fingerprinting as part of a background check, as have all teachers and other school employees who are entrusted with care for children and young people. We have established in our 2001 policy certain regulations that limit unsupervised interaction between priests and minors. We have in place a strict protocol for investigating and responding to accusations of sexual abuse by diocesan employees, including priests, and volunteers. If you—or anyone for whom you are responsible—have been the victim of sexual abuse by a priest or other diocesan employee or volunteer, I ask you to report this to a member of the Diocesan Sensitive Incident Team, which can be contacted through the diocesan telephone number (408-983-0100). As your bishop, I will do all in my power to ensure the safety of our people. The present climate makes it necessary for me to tell you what I believe you already know: the vast majority of the priests serving in our Diocese and throughout our nation are committed, prayerful and faith-filled men who take most seriously their role as protectors of the innocent. In their daily life and ministry they strive for holiness as they serve God by serving God’s people. These days have been difficult for each of our priests, and I know that they have been difficult for you. I ask that you remember our priests in your prayers as I renew my pledge to keep you in mine. With every best wish and kind regard, I remain, |
