August 20, 2002

Dear Members of the Archdiocese,

Last June, immediately after the meeting of the bishops in Dallas, I wrote you a letter explaining the decisions made by the bishops regarding the abuse of children and minors by clergy. The bishops approved a Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

The Charter identified four goals:

1. to promote healing and reconciliation for persons who as minors have suffered sexual abuse by clergy;

2. to guarantee an effective response to allegations of sexual abuse of minors;

3. to ensure the accountability of our procedures; and

4. to protect the faithful in the future.

I indicated in my June letter that I would lead the Archdiocese in fulfilling these goals. With this present letter, I wish to share with you some of the progress we have made.

Since June, I and others in archdiocesan administration have continued to reach out to and respond to victims/survivors and their families. We did this in the past, of course, but I mention it because helping with healing and reconciliation is so primary. Our outreach has included the provision of counseling and spiritual assistance. I have also had two sessions with a group of professionals who are willing to help increase our presence and support throughout the Archdiocese.

We are almost ready to make public more details about one specific program which the Charter proposes, namely, having a competent assistance coordinator to aid in the immediate pastoral care of persons who claim to have been sexually abused as minors by clergy or other church personnel (Article 2). This coordinator will be assisted by other professionals, some totally independent of the Archdiocese and others serving as counseling staff with Catholic Charities.

At this time I am announcing the members of the Archdiocesan Review Board as indicated in the Charter. This review board is composed of twelve persons. Nine of these persons are lay people and not employed by the Archdiocese. The board also includes one priest, one woman religious, and one Lutheran pastor/professor. The names of the board members are published in this week's issue of The Witness and are being released to the news media.

This board has three primary responsibilities:

1. to review our Archdiocesan policies and procedures for dealing with sexual abuse of minors by clergy and other church personnel;

2. to help in assessing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by church personnel; and

3. to make recommendations concerning fitness for ministry in particular cases.

The Charter states that the board can also give advice on all aspects of responses required in connection with these cases.

In naming these members, I took into consideration several factors: professional competence, independence from the Archdiocese, personal experience, interest in serving, and geographical distribution. Four of the members volunteered to serve and approached the Archdiocese stating their desire. Four others were recommended by groups or individuals. Several have particular expertise in the treatment of persons who have been abused as minors, others have been victims of clergy abuse themselves, and some have dealt with perpetrators.

I am grateful to these individuals for their willingness to serve.

The Charter emphasized that "outreach will include provision of counseling, spiritual assistance, support groups, and other social services agreed upon by the victim and the diocese." Individuals have asked how much has been spent on counseling and financial compensation.

I have reviewed the records since I became Archbishop in October 1995 until the end of the past fiscal year, June 30, 2002. During that period, we dealt with the very tragic abuse of at least five minors at St. Columbkille in Dubuque. Besides those victims, we have responded to requests for counseling and settlements from four adult men and four adult women who were abused by priests when they were minors. These victims/survivors identified five different priests as perpetrators. Three of these priests are deceased, one has been dismissed from the clerical state by the Pope, and the fifth is prohibited from ever presenting himself as a priest in good standing.

Including the victims at St. Columbkille, the Archdiocese paid the expenses of counseling for these individuals which totaled nearly $46,000.00. Financial settlements were made which totaled $356,800.00. These expenses were covered by our insurance program. Some abusing priests have also contributed financial support to victims/survivors.

There have been no additional settlements since July 1, 2002. We have continued to cover the expenses of counseling for persons making credible claims.

Since the first of the year, we have received and responded to additional individuals who were abused in the past. We will continue to reach out to these people and, if they give permission, present their allegations to the Review Board.

We are working on a revision of our Sexual Misconduct Policy to bring it in conformity with the Charter. Input is being sought from many people, and the Review Board will have a critical role to play in this task. We are also reviewing such things as background checks, "safe environment" programs, community support groups, and standards of professional conduct.

These administrative actions are important as we work toward healing and reconciliation for victims/survivors and their families. More needs to be done, as we continue to respond and as we strive for greater accountability. I will continue to work on these goals.

All of this is so necessary, but it is also important that we recommit ourselves to holiness of life and integrity of Catholic faith and teaching. May the challenges we are facing be a time when we grow stronger in our faith and more fervent in our prayer. If we humbly but resolutely work toward reform, God will bless our efforts.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev. Jerome Hanus, O.S.B.
Archbishop of Dubuque