Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As I mentioned at the end of all the Masses on Ascension weekend (May 20^th-21^st), the Illinois Attorney General has indeed released their report this week which is the culmination of a multi-year review of the Illinois Catholic dioceses' response to the child sexual abuse scandals.

The release of this report undoubtedly resurfaces great pain for those who were harmed by priests and other representatives of the Church. There is no excuse for the horrific abuses and negligent leadership that took place in the decades leading up to the 2002 ‘Spotlight’ revelations. 

As your priest and pastor, and as a representative of the Catholic Church, I offer my deepest apologies and sorrow to those hurt by the leadership of the Church. Such sin and scandal of this magnitude will never be forgotten—nor should it be, as we have continued since then to do everything possible to avoid such atrocities in the future. I encourage you to take a few moments to view Bishop Hicks’ responses to the report: to read his statement on the diocesan website and to watch his video responses there as well. 

Thankfully, over the last 20 years, diocesan policies have been extremely effective at eliminating abuse and ensuring that no one serving within our clergy, deaconate, seminaries, schools, ministries, or parishes are known abusers of children. The Diocese of Joliet has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual abuse and reports all allegations of the abuse of minors to the proper state authorities. This means that there is no one with a substantiated allegation of the abuse of a minor working in our Diocese. All clergy, volunteers working with children, and staff are background-checked and trained to prevent, spot, and report potential abuse. Find out more about what is being done to protect youth and vulnerable persons at protect.diojoliet.org. 

Please join me this Pentecost weekend, in calling upon the Holy Spirit to bring healing, justice, and forgiveness to those who have been hurt by the leaders of the Church.  

Yours in Christ,

Reverend Michael T. Kearney
Pastor

 

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The diocese created its first policy on clergy sexual abuse of minors in 1990, 12 years before the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (the Charter) was established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In 1993, the diocese established its first independent review committee to investigate all allegations of clergy sexual abuse of minors. That same year, the diocese also established its first pastoral response team to provide assistance to victims/survivors.

The Charter has been revised several times, most recently in 2018. The Charter was established to address allegations of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy and also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and steps to prevent abuse. Since the approval of the Charter in 2002, the Diocese of Joliet has followed its mandated blueprint to create a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults in our churches, schools, and activities.

The diocese takes seriously every allegation brought forth, be it reported by an individual who suffered abuse or a third party. The first step is always the same: We encourage and help all who are bringing forward real-time allegations of abuse and/or neglect of minors to report them to the state child welfare agency – the Department of Children and Family Services’ (DCFS) hotline (1-800-25-ABUSE) here in Illinois – and the local civil authorities. The diocese also reports each real-time allegation in accordance with the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and to local civil authorities and offers the help of our victim assistance coordinator to the victim-survivor. The victim assistance coordinator is available to talk with and listen to the victim-survivor and provide outreach and support services to the victim-survivor and his or her family. The victim assistance coordinator is also able to assist a victim-survivor in making a report to the authorities. The victim assistance coordinator may be reached at 815-263-6467.

Per diocesan policy, upon receipt of an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor by a cleric, the bishop is informed. If the cleric is alive and in ministry, the cleric is publicly removed from ministry and advised of his right to counsel,

The diocese investigates every allegation received. The same investigative process is followed whether the accused is alive, deceased or already listed on the diocesan list of clergy members with substantiated allegation(s) of sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult. If public authorities conduct a criminal investigation against the cleric, the diocese defers its own investigation until that public inquiry is concluded and cooperates fully with civil authorities.

Following the diocesan investigation, allegations against clergy not already on the diocesan public list go before the diocesan review board for a determination of whether the allegation is substantiated. The review board advises the bishop in his assessment of the allegations and the cleric’s suitability for ministry. Clergy members determined to have substantiated allegations are permanently removed from ministry and their names and assignments are published on the diocesan list. When an allegation is found to be unsubstantiated, the cleric is returned to ministry.

When the diocese receives an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor by an extern priest, i.e., a priest from another diocese, a religious order priest or a professed religious man and woman, the allegation is reported to civil authorities and the services of the victim assistance ministry are offered to the accuser and his or her family. The diocese of Joliet notifies the bishop of the other diocese or religious superior of the order of the allegation. If the priest or member of a religious order is in active ministry in the Diocese of Joliet, their ability to minister in this diocese is immediately revoked (removal of faculties) while the allegation is investigated. The other diocese or religious order oversees the investigation into the allegation using its own review board process and advises the Diocese of Joliet of the outcome.

We invite everyone to view our public list, as well as policies, standards of behavior and other resources, at www.diojoliet.org. Currently, no cleric with a substantiated allegation against him is in active ministry in our Diocese.

Anyone who knows or suspects that a child has been abused or neglected is encouraged to make a report to civil authorities. Please contact the Illinois DCFS hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE and the local police department.

All Diocese of Joliet clergy and employees must submit to the following requirements:

In addition, all mandated reporters must take mandated reporter training once every three years, per the Illinois’ Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA).

Volunteers who work with minors must submit to the same requirements except for monthly continuing education materials. They also must complete a volunteer application if they are seeking a repetitive role, such as coach, catechist, youth ministry leader, etc.

Please continue to pray for all victims/survivors of sexual abuse as we accompany them in their journey of healing. Be assured the Diocese of Joliet will continue to remain vigilant in its obligation to safeguard all children and vulnerable adults in our Church.