Archdiocese of
Hartford, Connecticut
The Archdiocese of Hartford (“the Archdiocese”), which was established in 1843, encompasses three counties in Connecticut. It consists of 216 parishes, two missions, and 70 elementary and secondary schools; it serves a population of about 700,000 registered Catholics with 290 deacons and 511 priests. The Most Reverend Daniel A. Cronin, who was installed as archbishop in 1991, leads the Archdiocese. A compliance audit of the Archdiocese was conducted during the period of June 23-27, 2003.

The information presented below represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding necessary corrective actions taken by the Archdiocese subsequent to the audit will be found in the last paragraph.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Archdiocese has had a prevention policy on sexual abuse of minors since 1990; it was revised in 2002 and is currently undergoing another revision. This policy, entitled Policies and Procedures Relating to Allegations of Sexual Misconduct Involving Minors, provides for an outreach program designed to provide immediate pastoral care to victims/ survivors and their families. A Recommendation was written that professional assistance should be extended to victims/survivors and families, even those in litigation, as soon as possible after the allegation is brought forward. The Archdiocese has a victim assistance coordinator, Sr. Mary Kelly, who has extensive experience in dealing with children. A Commendation was written acknowledging her appointment as a positive step for the Archdiocese. A sexual misconduct review board has been established, consisting of one priest and five respected members of the community, including a psychiatrist who has expertise in the treatment of sexual abuse of minors. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed and electronic form. The Archdiocese has entered into no confidentiality agreements since June 2002, unless requested by the victim/survivor.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Archdiocese has had contact with local civil authorities regarding sexual abuse violations and has reported all allegations of abuse made since June 2002. The Archdiocese has a procedure for advising victims/ survivors of their right to report allegations of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. A Recommendation was written suggesting that the new policy under revision include the offer of professional assistance for the healing and well-being of offending priests or deacons, whether or not the abuse has been established. The Archdiocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons. The Archdiocese has a communications policy reflecting the archbishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children.

To Ensure Accountability of Procedures
The Archdiocese 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 Archdiocese, through VIRTUS, has instituted a series of safe environment seminars for presentation to adults having regular contact with children and for the children. As mentioned above, the Archdiocese 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. A Commendation was written recognizing the actions of the archbishop for sponsoring and attending a conference on sexual abuse conducted by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and requiring the attendance of all priests. The Archdiocese has completed background investigations on all members of the clergy, and on all adults, employees and volunteers, who have regular contact with minors. However, a Recommendation was written suggesting that background checks be updated after an appropriate period of time. The Archdiocese has not transferred any priests or deacons who have had credible allegations of sexual abuse lodged against them to any other diocese for ministerial assignment or residence since June 2002. A Recommendation was written requesting that the Archdiocese re-contact another diocese, in writing, regarding the current status of two priests who had transferred their residency prior to June 2002. The archbishop and the major superiors of religious orders having a presence in the Archdiocese have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a cleric member of a religious institute; they meet at least twice each year. The Archdiocese 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; however, it is a member of the Christian Conference of Connecticut. The Archdiocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination and established formation programs for priests.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Archdiocese of Hartford was issued four Recommendations and two Commendations.

REECOMMENDATION 1—That an appropriate official of the Archdiocese should communicate in writing with the bishop of the diocese where two priests have taken up residence, in order to determine their current status and to ensure compliance with the restrictions placed on them.

REECOMMENDATION 2—That the sexual abuse prevention policy of the Archdiocese provide professional assistance to victims/survivors and their families, regardless of pending litigation.

REECOMMENDATION 3—That the Archdiocese consider the reinvestigation of all personnel covered by its background program after the passage of a reasonable period of time.

REECOMMENDATION 4—That the Archdiocese consider the addition of appropriate and reasonable forms of professional treatment and aftercare for an offending priest or deacon, for his well-being, whether or not the allegations against him have been established.

COMMENDATION 1—For the victim assistance coordinator’s unwavering level of commitment, dedication, and professionalism and her overall contributions to the program.

COMMENDATION 2—For the archbishop’s leadership in sponsoring and supporting a conference conducted by the Department of Children and Families, State of Connecticut, for the benefit of the priests who serve the Archdiocese and for personally attending and mandating attendance of all priests.

As of December 1, 2003, all Recommendations had been addressed. The Archdiocese of Hartford 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.




__________________________________

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