Diocese of
Des Moines, Iowa
The Diocese of Des Moines (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1911, encompasses 23 counties in the central and southwestern area of Iowa. It consists of 84 parishes and 18 schools, has 97 diocesan priests, 72 deacons, and serves a population of 97,306 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend Joseph L. Charron, who was installed as bishop in 1994, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of October 20-24, 2003.

The information set forth 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 established an outreach program. While no cases of abuse have been reported since June 2002, the bishop, or his designee, has met or offered to meet with victims/survivors of abuse in the Diocese who reported cases prior to 2002. The victim assistance coordinator is Jo Mulvihill, who is a social worker and civil employee specializing in coordinating victim services. The diocesan review board was established in 2002 and consists of seven members, including two clerics and lay representatives from the legal, law enforcement, medical, and business professions. 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 that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations will occur. 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. A Commendation was issued for the excellence and extent of the policy and procedures put in place by the bishop to ensure a sharing of information on issues related to sexual abuse of minors.

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 selected and implemented the VIRTUS safe environment program, consisting of presentations to all diocesan and parish personnel having regular contact with children, and has implemented appropriate training programs for children and young people. The Diocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other 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. It was recommended, however, that mechanisms, procedures, and policies be put into place to ensure diocese-wide compliance with the background evaluation requirement. 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 or for purposes of residence. The bishop, 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 cooperates 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 ongoing systematic programs of priestly formation.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Des Moines was issued one Recommendation and one Commendation.

RECOMMENDATION—That the Diocese establish a central focal point for collection and review of all background checks and establish policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Charter.

COMMENDATION—For the excellence and extent of Bishop Charron’s communications policy and practices, which ensure openness and transparency when dealing with issues related to sexual abuse of minors.

As of December 1, 2003 the Recommendation had been addressed. The Diocese of Des Moines 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