Archdiocese of
Anchorage, Alaska
The Archdiocese of Anchorage (“the Archdiocese”) was established in 1966 and encompasses south-central Alaska. It consists of 20 parishes, nine missions, and three elementary and secondary schools, nine active priests and 18 deacons serving a population of 32,170 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend Roger Schwietz, installed as archbishop in 2001, leads the Archdiocese. A compliance audit of the Archdiocese was conducted during the period of August 11-15, 2003.

The information presented below represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding necessary corrective actions taken by the Archdiocese subsequent to the audit will be found in the last paragraph.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Archdiocese has had a prevention policy on sexual abuse of minors since 1994 (Policy Regarding Issues of Sexual Misconduct); however, the policy needs to be updated to reflect the specific policy and provisions of the Charter. An Instruction was written requiring the preparation of an updated policy to include, among other things, the duties of the victim assistance coordinator; the composition, duties, and responsibilities of the review board; and victim-friendly instructions on how to make a complaint and what to expect afterwards. The archbishop has completely supported the archdiocesan outreach program, which includes support and counseling for victims/survivors and for which a Commendation was issued. No incidents of sexual abuse have been reported to the Archdiocese since June 2002. The Archdiocese does have a victim assistance coordinator, Sr. Barbara Scanlon. A diocesan review board was established in 1994, consisting of one priest and six respected members of the community, including a social worker, a teacher, and a nurse. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed form. The Archdiocese has entered into no confidentiality agreements since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Archdiocese has had contact with local civil authorities regarding sexual abuse allegations, and it has cooperated with these authorities’ investigations. The Archdiocese does have a procedure for advising victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. A comprehensive Commendation was issued to the archbishop for (a) entering into an agreement with a civilian organization that will accept complaints of sexual abuse and provide services, (b) forming the Erwin Commission to look into all records of the Archdiocese pertaining to all allegations of misconduct and to issue a public report, and (c) personally taking charge of the outreach program. The Archdiocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons. The Archdiocese has a communications policy reflecting the archbishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children.

To Ensure Accountability of Procedures
The Archdiocese has participated in the research study regarding the “nature and scope” of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.

To Protect the Faithful in the Future
The Archdiocese has not identified or developed a series of safe environment programs for presentation to adults having regular contact with children and the children. An Instruction was written requiring the Archdiocese to make every effort to identify and establish appropriate programs at their earliest possible opportunity. As mentioned above, the Archdiocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. The Archdiocese has completed background investigations on all new employees of the Archdiocese but as yet does not have a comprehensive program for background searches on all priests and adults who have contact with children. An Instruction was written to ensure that prompt arrangements are made to initiate background checks on all employees and volunteers who have contact with children. The Archdiocese has not transferred any priests or deacons who have had credible allegations of sexual abuse lodged against them to any other diocese for ministerial assignment or residence since June 2002. One priest was transferred for residency prior to June 2002, and the bishop of that location is aware of his presence. The archbishop and the major superior of an order having a presence in the Archdiocese have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a clerical member of a religious institute. The Archdiocese has not had an opportunity to cooperate with other churches, religious bodies, and institutions of learning in conducting research in the area of sexual abuse of minors. The Archdiocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Archdiocese of Anchorage was issued four Instructions and one Commendation.

INSTRUCTION 1—The Policy Regarding Issues of Sexual Misconduct, promulgated in 1994, needs to be revised to conform with the Charter, in that it needs to describe the mechanisms that must be in place to respond promptly to allegations of abuse, the responsibilities of the victim assistance coordinator, and the composition and duties of the review board.

INSTRUCTION 2—The above policy should detail the action to be taken when an allegation is brought forward, the action to be taken when an allegation is determined to be unfounded, and the action to be taken when allegation is proven or admitted.

INSTRUCTION 3—The Archdiocese will make every effort to identify and establish appropriate safe environment programs at its earliest opportunity.

INSTRUCTION 4—The Archdiocese will make prompt arrangements to initiate background checks on all existing employees, volunteers, and clergy who have regular contact with children.

COMMENDATION—For Archbishop Schwietz’s initiative in (a) personally taking charge of the outreach program and showing his full support for the victims/ survivors of abuse and their families, (b) forming the Erwin Commission to look into all records of the Archdiocese pertaining to allegations of abuse and to issue a public report, and (c) entering into an agreement with the organization Standing Together Against Rape to accept complaints of sexual abuse and to provide additional services to victims/survivors and their families.

As of December 1, 2003, efforts had been made to address Instuctions 1, 2, and 3. With regard to Instruction 4, a process was initiated but not completed for background checks of all current employees, volunteers, and priests who have regular contact with children and young people. The Archdiocese of Anchorage is compliant with the Charter, as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 in Section 1, with the exception of Articles 2, 5, 12, and 13.


The compliance audit measured activity that has occurred since the adoption of the Charter in June 2002 with the exception of certain mandated actions found in Articles 5 and 14. Actions taken by the diocese/eparchy prior to June 2002 to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests and deacons are not included in this summary report.




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Office of Child and Youth Protection
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194
(202) 541-5413 | FAX: (202) 541-5410
Email: ocyp@usccb.org