Diocese of
Belleville, Illinois
The Diocese of Belleville (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1887, encompasses 28 counties in southern Illinois. It consists of 125 parishes and missions and 39 elementary and secondary schools, and it serves a population of 105,266 registered Catholics with 30 deacons and 134 diocesan priests. The Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory, who was installed as bishop in 1994, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of June 2-6, 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 Diocese subsequent to the audit will be found in the last paragraph.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Diocese has had a prevention policy on sexual abuse of minors since 1990, with major modifications made in 1993; this policy provides for an outreach program designed to provide immediate pastoral care to victims/survivors and their families. A Commendation was issued to the Diocese for showing progressive and innovative leadership by having had this policy in place so early. The Diocese is in the process of drafting a superceding policy that goes beyond what is required in the Charter, for which a Commendation was issued. The Diocese has a victim assistance coordinator, Msgr. James Margason, the vicar general, and also calls on the Archdiocese of Chicago’s victim assistance minister as needed. A lay review board was established in 1993, consisting of three priests and five respected members of the community, including a psychologist, an attorney, a victim/survivor, and a nurse. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are not readily available in printed and electronic form, although a hotline number has been well publicized. It was recommended that the procedures for filing a complaint be printed and publicized. The Diocese has entered into no confidentiality agreements since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Diocese has had little contact with local civil authorities regarding sexual abuse allegations, because no allegations have been reported to the Diocese since June 2002. However, policy provides for immediate reporting of allegations to the appropriate authorities. The Diocese has a procedure for advising victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. The Diocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons. The Diocese has a communications policy, reflecting the bishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children.

To Ensure Accountability of Procedures
The Diocese 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 Diocese has developed a comprehensive policy that details a safe environment training program for presentation to clergy and adults having regular contact with children; however, the Diocese has not yet formalized this training. A draft policy has been prepared, and the Diocese is in the process of hiring a person to coordinate the policy. A Recommendation was written requesting this policy be approved as quickly as possible so that the training can begin. As mentioned above, the Diocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as for diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. The Diocese has completed background investigations for all members of the clergy and for all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. The Diocese 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. The bishop and the major superior of religious orders having a presence in the Diocese have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a clerical member of a religious institute. The Diocese 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 Diocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination and has ongoing formation programs for priests.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Belleville was issued two Recommendations and two Commendations.

RECOMMENDATION 1—That the Diocese prepare a written format outlining how to make a complaint of sexual abuse allegations and that the Diocese publicize this procedure.

RECOMMENDATION 2—That the Diocese approve the policy that details the safe environment training program and implement the training as soon as possible.

COMMENDATION 1—For demonstrating progressive, innovative leadership by having policies regarding how to deal with issues of sexual abuse of minors in place since 1990 and for keeping these policies updated.

COMMENDATION 2—For drafting a new, unique policy regarding protection of children issues that goes beyond what is required by the Charter.

As of December 1, 2003, all Recommendations had been addressed. The Diocese of Belleville is found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 in Section I.


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