Diocese of
Gary, Indiana
The Diocese of Gary (“the Diocese”), which was established on December 17, 1956, encompasses four counties in northwest Indiana. It consists of 74 parishes and three monasteries, 39 deacons, 117 diocesan priests, one college, and 30 schools and serves a population of 185,950 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend Dale J. Melczek, who was appointed in August 1992, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of August 25-29, 2003.

The information found herein represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Diocese established an outreach program in 1993 and has revised it three times, the latest being in April 2003. The bishop has met with victims/survivors of abuse and their families in the past and has indicated this policy would continue. The current victim assistance coordinator was appointed on August 10, 2003. She has more than 40 years of experience as a social worker and therapist. The diocesan response team (i.e., review board) is made up of ten members who are highly educated, motivated, diverse, and respected members of the 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
Before and since June 2002, the Diocese has made the proper reports and has cooperated with civil authorities in matters of investigations of sexual abuse. 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. Clear and well-publicized standards of ministerial behavior are in effect in the Diocese. The bishop has an open and transparent communications policy regarding issues of sexual abuse and is open to interview concerning any issue involving the Diocese.

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
An effective safe environment program has been established utilizing the VIRTUS program. The program is being offered to parents, clergy, employees, volunteers, and any individual who comes in contact with children; the program includes appropriate training 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 church personnel who have regular contact with children and young people. Background checks on employees have been accomplished and involve law enforcement resources. The Diocese has not had credible complaints of abuse lodged against a member of the clergy; therefore, no member of the clergy has been moved to another ministerial assignment for this purpose. Likewise, no clergy have been transferred for purposes of residency. The bishop participates in yearly meetings with the provincials and major superiors within the Diocese. Their separate roles, as they apply to issues involving the sexual abuse of minors by clergy, are discussed. There has been no opportunity for the Diocese to participate in conducting research with other churches and ecclesial communities, other religious bodies, institutions of learning, and other interested organizations. The Diocese has a program for ongoing priestly formation.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of the audit, the Diocese of Gary was 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