Diocese of
Biloxi, Mississippi
The Diocese of Biloxi (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1977, encompasses 17 counties in southern Mississippi. It consists of 45 parishes and 18 schools, has 54 diocesan priests, 27 deacons, and serves a population of 73,286 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi, who was installed as bishop in 2001, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of July 7-11, 2003.

The information set forth below represents conditions as they were found during the week of the audit.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Diocese has established an outreach program. The bishop, or his designee, has met or offered to meet with victims/survivors of abuse in the Diocese who reported the abuse after June 2002. The victim assistance coordinator is Sr. Mary Riordan, who has extensive experience working in education and parish ministry. The diocesan review board was established in 2002 and consists of seven members, including one priest and six respected members of the lay community. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed form. There have been no confidentiality agreements entered into by the Diocese since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Diocese has established effective liaison with local civil authorities, ensuring an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations. The Diocese has a procedure in place to advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of 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 that reflects 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 and implemented a safe environment program, consisting of training for diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with children, as well as presentations suitable for children. The Diocese 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 Diocese is conducting background evaluations for all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. The Diocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse lodged against him to another diocese for ministerial assignment. In the case of one priest who has taken up residence in another diocese, the bishop of that diocese has been notified, and information has been confidentially provided relating to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by the priest. The bishop of Biloxi, or his delegate, and the major superiors have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a cleric 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 formation programs for priests.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Biloxi was found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 of Section I. The Diocese was issued one Commendation.

COMMENDATION-For the bishop's forward-thinking approach in the implementation of a comprehensive sexual abuse prevention policy prior to the adoption of the Charter.


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