Diocese of
Corpus Christi, Texas
The Diocese of Corpus Christi (“the Diocese”) was originally established in 1842 as part of the Diocese of Galveston, Texas, and was re-established in 1874 as part of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas. In 1912, the current diocese was established, encompassing 11.5 counties in southern Texas and consisting of 65 parishes and 32 missions, 17 elementary and secondary schools, 62 deacons, 80 diocesan priests, and a population of 328,447 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend Edmond Carmody, who was installed as bishop on March 17, 1975, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of September 29–October 3, 2003.

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

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Diocese has had an established prevention policy on sexual abuse of minors since May 1990, and this policy provides for an outreach program designed to provide immediate pastoral care to victims/survivors and their families. The Diocese has a very competent and qualified victim assistance coordinator. Diocesan personnel, including the bishop, have met with all victims/survivors, and assistance and services have been provided as needed and requested. A seven-member independent lay review board was established in 2002 and includes people of varied background and education who are respected members of the community. Procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed form. No confidentiality agreements have been entered into by the Diocese since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
All allegations of sexual abuse have been reported to civil authorities since June 2002, and a procedure is in place to advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by clergy to those authorities. The Diocese has a published brochure that includes a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons as well as the sexual abuse prevention policy. The Diocese has a communications policy reflecting the bishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues relating to the sexual abuse of children, the safe environment program, and the Diocesan Policy on Ethics and Integrity. This is publicized via periodic announcements by the bishop and on the Diocese-run radio station, website, and newspaper. A Commendation was issued with regard to the Diocese’s commitment to openness and transparency.

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 created a safe environment program, Creating and Maintaining a Safe Environment for Children and Youth. The diocese was commended for the excellence of this in-house effort and for the considerable commitment to ensure diocese-wide utilization of the program. A policy and procedure for conducting background screening for all clergy, employees, and volunteers has been put into effect. The Diocese has completed 100 percent of the background checks on clergy and employees and 90 percent of the volunteers. Appropriate screening and evaluation of candidates for the seminary is being done. The diocese has a systematic, ongoing formation program in keeping with the Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests (2001).¹ The Diocese was issued one Commendation: For pro-active communications through the diocesan radio station; for the development of a safe environment manual and tracking program; and for the completion of 90% of the safe environment training, 90% of background checks on diocesan volunteers, and 100% of background checks on diocesan employees.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

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


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