Diocese of
Davenport, Iowa
The Diocese of Davenport (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1881, encompasses 11,438 square miles in the southeast quadrant of Iowa. It consists of 85 parishes, one seminary, and 25 schools, 47 deacons, and 129 diocesan priests serve a population of 102,716 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend William E. Franklin, who was installed as bishop in 1994, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was begun on October 27, 2003. The compliance audit was terminated on October 29 prior to completion as a result of ongoing litigation, which prevented the auditors from conducting interviews and gathering information according to the standards described in Chapter 2 in Section I.

The Diocese of Davenport has provided the following information, which could not be verified by the Gavin Group.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Diocese reports that it has established an outreach program that provides for the bishop, or his designee, to meet or offer to meet with victims/survivors of sexual abuse. The victim assistance coordinator is Irene Prior Loftus, who also functions as chancellor for the Diocese. The diocesan review board was established in 2002 and consists of five members, including one priest and four respected members of the lay community. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed form and on the diocesan website. 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 reports that it has established effective liaison with local civil authorities, ensuring that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations will occur, and that a procedure is 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 reports that it has not participated in the research study regarding the “nature and scope” of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy for reasons related to ongoing litigation.

To Protect the Faithful in the Future
The Diocese reports the following information: the Diocese has selected and implemented the VIRTUS safe environment program, consisting of presentations to diocesan and parish personnel having regular contact with children. Additionally, a self-developed videotape is shown, and there are programs for presentation to school-age 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 has a policy for conducting background investigations for all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. 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.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

As of December 1, 2003 a determination of compliance with the Charter by the Diocese of Davenport could not be verified. Bishop Franklin agrees that this compliance audit should be completed as soon as possible after the legal restrictions have been resolved.


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