Diocese of
Boise, Idaho
The Diocese of Boise (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1893, encompasses the entire state of Idaho. It consists of 55 parishes, 25 missions, and 14 elementary and secondary schools and serves a population of 133,900 registered Catholics with 50 deacons and 49 diocesan priests. The Most Reverend Michael P. Driscoll, installed as bishop in 1999, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese 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 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 1999, and this policy provides for an outreach program designed to provide immediate pastoral care to victims/survivors and their families. However, a revised policy taking into account the provisions of the Charter has not yet been approved. It was recommended that the impending revision to the diocesan policy be approved and adopted as soon as possible. The Diocese has a victim assistance coordinator, Bobbi Dominick, who has significant experience in human resources. A lay review board—now consisting of three priests and six respected members of the community, including a medical doctor and two mental health counselors—was established in 1991 and redefined in 1999 and 2002. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed and electronic form. 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 limited contact with local civil authorities regarding sexual abuse allegations, because no violations have been reported to the Diocese by minors since June 2002. Diocesan policy, however, 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 and adults who have contact with children. 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 implemented a series of safe environment seminars for presentation to clergy and adults having regular contact with children. Additional training was to begin in September. A program for parents and children is currently being evaluated. A Recommendation was written requesting that the Diocese report the status of their training. As mentioned above, 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 has completed background investigations on all teachers, but members of the clergy and other adults who have contact with children have not yet undergone background checks. A policy has been developed but not yet approved, and a Recommendation was written requesting the Diocese approve the policy and institute the procedures. 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 one major superior of an order having a presence in the Diocese 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 established formation programs for priests.Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter
At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Boise was issued two Recommendations and one Commendation.
RECOMMENDATION 1—That the Diocese approve the newly revised policy on dealing with sexual abuse matters as soon as possible.
RECOMMENDATION 2—That the Diocese approve the policy on background checks and implement it as soon as possible.
COMMENDATION—For the development and distribution of a sexual abuse policy in 1999, well before the adoption of the Charter.
As of December 1, 2003, all Recommendations had been addressed. The Diocese of Boise 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
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