Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop William H. Bullock Thursday, September 19, 2002 9:00 a.m. -- Attend Presbyteral Council Meeting, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Saturday, September 21, 2002 5:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Conferral of Monsignorate of Reverend Monsignor Terrence Connors, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison Sunday, September 22, 2002 11:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. John the Baptist Parish, Waunakee Tuesday, September 24, 2002 11:00 a.m. -- Attend Grand Opening and Speak at Dedication of Portage Commons Apartment Homes, Portage Thursday, September 26, 2002 3:00 p.m. -- Preside at Midday Prayer for Vocations, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison 5:00 p.m. -- Preside at Rededication of the Sacred Heart Chapel, Edgewood High School, Madison Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Thursday, September 19, 2002 9:00 a.m. -- Attend Presbyteral Council Meeting, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Saturday, September 21, 2002 5:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Joseph Parish, Fort Atkinson Sunday, September 22, 2002 10:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Mary Help of Christians Parish with the link of St. Mary Parish, Palmyra at St. Mary Parish, Palmyra Tuesday, September 24, 2002 9:00 a.m. -- Guest Presenter, Parish Leadership Day, Convocation 2002, Diocese of La Crosse, La Crosse Thursday, September 26, 2002 3:00 p.m. -- Attend Midday Prayer for Vocations, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison

Wisconsin dioceses publish sexual abuse policies

		The Bishop: A Herald of Faith Bishop William H. Bullock

In response to the sexual abuse scandal in the Church and the U.S., there were two documents produced at our U.S. Bishops' meeting on June 13-15, 2002, in Dallas, Texas.

The Charter, which outlines the guidelines and requirements of all Dioceses in the U.S., and the Norms, which, once granted a "recognitio" from the Holy See (a Latin term meaning recognition or approval), become particular law in the Church and fully applicable.

"Dioceses/eparchies will reach out to victims/survivors and their families and demonstrate a sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being. The first obligation of the Church with regard to the victims is for healing and reconciliation."

The Diocese of Madison joins the Dioceses of La Crosse, Green Bay, Superior, and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee as we develop the required sexual abuse policies and publish them in our respective dioceses. We shall learn from each other. There will also be a provincial review board for the state of Wisconsin.

Our Sexual Abuse Review Board has been appointed by me and is meeting to fulfill its threefold mission: 1) review and examine current sexual abuse policies of the Diocese of Madison and affirm them as they are written or suggest modifications; 2) develop ways in which the Bishop can enter into an outreach program for victims by listening sessions where victims can be heard; 3) examine allegations or cases of sexual abuse in the Diocese.

Patience, understanding, and hard work are characteristics of the Sexual Abuse Review Board. It is an independent board and all five members work on a voluntary basis. I sincerely believe they are competent and are working as expeditiously as possible.

The Sexual Abuse Review Board, according to Article 7 of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, must be transparent to our public as to its process but equally so have its privacy as it meets, reviews, and deliberates.

This means that the process we follow is known and public but the Sexual Abuse Review Board's particular deliberations are private. Both the public and private are necessary for a smooth functioning of the Sexual Abuse Review Board.

I ask you, our people of the Diocese of Madison, to remember prayerfully our victims and any priests who may have been involved in sexual abuse. I repeat my apology to any victim of sexual abuse by a priest, and I assure them of my desire and willingness to implement the Charter and apply the Norms of the U. S. Bishops approved June 15, 2002.

The full name of the document is the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. It begins, "The Church in the United States is experiencing a crisis without precedent in our times. The sexual abuse of children and young people by some priests and bishops, and the ways in which we bishops addressed these crimes and sins, have caused enormous pain, anger, and confusion.

"Innocent victims and their families have suffered terribly. In the past, secrecy has created an atmosphere that has inhibited the healing process and, in some cases, enabled sexually abusive behavior to be repeated. As bishops, we acknowledge our mistakes and our role in that suffering, and we apologize and take responsibility for too often failing victims and our people in the past.

"We also take responsibility for dealing with this problem strongly, consistently, and effectively in the future. From the depths of our hearts, we bishops express great sorrow and profound regret for what the Catholic people are enduring."

Article 1. "Dioceses/eparchies will reach out to victims/survivors and their families and demonstrate a sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being. The first obligation of the Church with regard to the victims is for healing and reconciliation."

The full text of the Charter is available in booklet form as published by the USCCB.

I conclude my column this week with frequently asked questions by the U.S. Bishops' committee.

DIOCESAN/EPARCHIAL QUESTIONNAIRE

DIOCESE OF MADISON, WISCONSIN
(Name of Diocese/Eparchy)

1. Does the diocese/eparchy have a written policy on sexual abuse? Is the policy available to the public?

2. Are the procedures for making a complaint readily available, in printed form, and the subject of public announcements? If not, when do you anticipate that this will be in place?

3. Does the diocese/eparchy have an assistance coordinator who aids in the immediate pastoral care of victims of sexual abuse by church personnel? Please provide the name and address for this person?

4. Does the diocese/eparchy have a review board, the majority of whose members are laypersons not in the employ of the diocese/eparchy? If not, when do you anticipate having this in place?

5. Does your state include clergy on the list of mandatory reporters? Do you also report past or old cases to the civil authorities?

6. Does the diocese/eparchy have a statement or policy describing appropriate standards for ministerial behavior for clergy and other Church personnel? If not, when do you anticipate that this will be in place?

7. Has the diocese/eparchy initiated a "safe environment" program for training and education of clergy, staff, teachers, parents, youth, etc. on detection and prevention of child sexual abuse? If you do not yet have such a program, when do you anticipate having it in place?

8. Does the diocese/eparchy have procedures to check the background of clergy, church ministers, and other volunteers who have regular contact with minors? If not, when do you anticipate having these procedures in place?

9. Has the local bishop/eparch been in dialogue with the Major Superiors of the Religious in the diocese/eparchy regarding the status of members of religious life? If this has not yet occurred, when do you anticipate such a dialogue-taking place?

Response Prepared by:
Reverend Monsignor Paul J. Swain,
Vicar General

Contact Person in Diocese/Eparchy for further information on the diocesan/eparchial implementation of The Charter: