Some of the most frequently asked questions about Sacred Heart Province’s publication of the disclosure list of credibly accused friars…
What is a disclosure list?
Sacred Heart published what’s called a “disclosure list” because it identifies members of the Province who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors.
How many names are on the list – and is there information on where the credibly accused are now?
There are 26 names on the list. As for status, 17 are deceased; 4 are living and are prohibited from public ministry; and 5 others left the Order.
Where can I find this disclosure list?
The list is posted on the Province website: www.thefriars.org. It will be maintained on the website as public information. Besides the list, there’s a letter on the website from the Provincial Minister explaining the process.
What is the purpose of publishing this list?
First and foremost, the Province is hopeful that the disclosure list will help bring healing and peace to abuse survivors. It also is a message that sexual misconduct and sexual abuse of minors will not be tolerated. It underscores the Province’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and safe environments for the protection of children and vulnerable persons.
How was this disclosure list established?
To ensure a thorough and impartial process, the Province retained Kinsale Management Consulting to conduct an independent, comprehensive review of all personnel dating back to 1950. A little background on Kinsale – its founder Kathleen McChesney, PhD, is a former high-ranking official in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. After she left the FBI, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops hired her to establish its Office of Child Protection, which also led to her developing and administering the national compliance model for the protection of minors.
What happened after Kinsale reviewed the personnel files?
The results of Kinsale’s file review were brought before the Provincial Review Board. The Board consists of one friar and five lay people. It has the independent responsibility of advising the Provincial Administration – in this situation, regarding the credibility of allegations and the names to be included on the list after the Board studied Kinsale’s comprehensive review results.
What exactly does ‘credible’ allegation mean?
It means that there was enough information to believe that the reported incident is likely to have taken place. As determined and recommended by the Provincial Review Board, each friar on the disclosure list has been the subject of a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.
What happens in the future if credible allegations emerge against a friar?
The disclosure list is based on current information, and although we are thoroughly confident that Kinsale’s review of personnel files is comprehensive and detailed, the list will be updated as necessary.
What is the Province doing to get out the word about this disclosure list?
The Province is notifying all archdioceses, dioceses, parishes, and other ministries where the credibly accused friars were stationed in ministry – even if the actual alleged allegations didn’t happen there. There are notices in parish bulletins. The list, a press release, and a letter from the Provincial Minister will remain posted on the Province website.
Does the Province have policies and procedures for the protection of minors and vulnerable persons?
The Provide adheres to the national compliance system of the USCCB (the one established by Ms. McChesney of Kinsale – we alluded to this in an earlier question). The Province also follows to the letter the standards of accountability and transparency of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men. Furthermore, the Province’s sexual abuse protections and response policies are periodically evaluated for accreditation purposes by an independent company that evaluates, assesses, and accredits these policies and procedures for private and public organizations.
Where can I get a copy of these policies and procedures?
Information on how the Sacred Heart Province addresses allegations of sexual misconduct can be found at https://thefriars.org/Protection-of-Children. It spells out in detail how the Province addresses allegations of sexual misconduct.
What if someone wants to report sexual abuse by a friar?
The first thing they should do is contact their local law enforcement authorities. Then they should call the Province Survivor Assistance Coordinator, Lynn Duffield, at 314-250-2275.
How can I deal with anger and questioning my faith when I read about clergy abuse?
Sexual misconduct and the sexual abuse of minors are disgraceful and reprehensible – and publishing this disclosure list is a mark of shame against the Province and the larger Catholic Church. But it should never shake the foundation of your faith and your relationship with God. Turn your anger and doubts into something good by praying for healing and peace for abuse survivors. Pray that Franciscan friars will be examples of the caring and gentleness of our founding father, St. Francis of Assisi, and our loving Savior, Jesus Christ.