When did the Diocese of St. Petersburg start checking the backgrounds of employees, volunteers and clergy to determine if they pose a risk to children and vulnerable adults?
On April 15, 1992, the diocese began the requirement of background screening and fingerprinting of all employees and clergy, as well as volunteers who have the care, responsibility, and/or supervision of children and youth. Beginning in July of 1997, the diocese also required those having the care, responsibility and/or supervision of vulnerable adults (i.e. elderly, disabled, etc.) to also be screened and fingerprinted. All employees and clergy, as well as all volunteers, who have the care, responsibility, and/or supervision of children and youth, are required to be re-screened every five years.
How many people have you screened since this started?
How does someone report abuse?
Are clergy allowed to continue in their ministry after a credible allegation of abuse?
No person, including clergy, who has been determined to have engaged in sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult, will be allowed to remain in active ministry.
What happens to clergy who are credibly accused of abuse?
Clergy who are credibly accused of sexual misconduct with a minor are removed from ministry pending an investigation. A report is made to the State Attorney having jurisdiction. Announcements are published at the parishes where the priest or deacon served inviting anyone who has been harmed to come forward to law enforcement, DCF or the Victim Assistance Minister. The results of the investigation are presented to the Diocesan Review Board, who makes a recommendation to the bishop that the allegation seems to be true, seems to be false, or is unsubstantiated. If the bishop finds the allegation seems to be true the priest is removed from ministry.
How can we be sure our bishop does not allow clergy to remain in ministry who are guilty of abuse?
The bishop follows the norms of the USCCB Charter, which requires that no credibly accused member of the clergy is permitted to remain in active ministry.
He is assisted by the Diocesan Review Board, which is comprised mostly of lay persons not employed by the Diocese. The Board reviews all accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor.
How do you determine if an allegation is credible?
A consistent investigation process has been established and is followed. The Diocese uses an outside investigator, who is a former FBI agent and the results of the investigation are then presented to our Diocesan Review Board.
What support do you provide for victims?
When an allegation is made regardless of any finding on the merits, our response is to offer pastoral care and assistance and to assist in the healing process while the investigation is pending. We have been able to achieve reasonable settlements, not for legal reasons, but because the Church should offer care and assistance for those who have been harmed by someone serving in the ministry.
How much has the Diocese paid in settlements to victims abused as minors by persons serving in ministry?
Up through our report of 2011, the sum of $4,715,000 had been paid in pastoral settlements to victims abused as minors by someone serving in ministry. Since that time we have had 18 allegations against clergy and 3 allegations against lay persons. Four of these allegations were found to be false. The Diocese has paid an additional $1,572,500.00 in pastoral settlements to these victims of abuse.
We have never appealed for special funds or conducted our Annual Pastoral Appeal to cover these financial commitments.
The Diocese of St. Petersburg has approximately $1.1 billion worth of property, 3,300 employees, and $250 million in annual operating revenue. Insurance policies cover all property and liability claims associated with these resources. All diocesan insurance policies are managed through an Insurance Trust Fund with a Board of Trustees comprised of clerical and lay members. This is a very important effort that requires good stewardship because of the responsibility required to support all diocesan activities.
The Insurance Trust Fund charges parishes and schools for this insurance, purchases reinsurance, and pays all claims. We fully realize that all the funds to cover insurance costs come from our parishioners and we must make every effort to properly insure for all liabilities. The most significant liability for which we must insure is a hurricane. Hurricanes are property insurance issues and require significant reserves. We also require insurance to cover liabilities associated with sexual abuse claims whether clergy or laity perpetrated the crimes.
In the last 50 years, we have spent $6.3 million on insurance for these claims and payments to resolve such claims. The Bishop has always taken the viewpoint that we must pastorally assist all abuse victims. Therefore, a sizable portion of our payments have gone to help individuals and their families. Reserves for all future claims continue to be monitored by the Trustees and remain strong.
How many abusive priests have we had in the Diocese of St. Petersburg?