Diocese of
Duluth, Minnesota
The Diocese of Duluth (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1889, encompasses ten counties of northeastern Minnesota. It consists of 93 parishes, 12 schools, 33 deacons, and 74 diocesan priests, and it serves a population of 71,853 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, 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 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 there have been no allegations of sexual abuse since June 2002, the bishop and his designees have met and offered to meet with victims/survivors who have reported in the past. The Diocese has three victim assistance coordinators: Tab Baumgartner, Dayle Peterson, and Esther Reagan. The diocesan review board was established in 1992 and was reorganized in 2003. The board 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 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. The Diocese was commended for efforts made since 1992 to communicate with parishes directly affected by sexual abuse by members of the clergy.

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 presentations to all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with children. The Catholic schools offer presentations suitable for children. The Diocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as for diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. The Diocese has not been conducting background evaluations for diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. An Instruction was issued for the Diocese to institute procedures to conduct such evaluations. The Diocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse lodged against him to another ministerial assignment, or for purposes of residency to another diocese. The bishop has not had contact with major superiors of men regarding the issue of sexual abuse because no religious institutes of men are located within the diocesan territory. The Diocese has not had an opportunity to cooperate with other churches and religious bodies 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

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Duluth was issued one Instruction and two Commendations.

INSTRUCTION—The Diocese will institute background evaluations for all diocesan and parish personnel, including volunteers, who have regular contact with children.

COMMENDATION 1—For the excellence of the Diocese’s communication with the congregation of parishes directly affected by sexual abuse by members of the clergy.

COMMENDATION 2—For the excellence of the Diocese’s sexual misconduct policy and review board, both of which have been in place since 1992.

As of December 1, 2003, the Instruction had been addressed. The Diocese of Duluth 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