Diocese of
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The Diocese of Kalamazoo (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1971, encompasses nine counties in southwest Michigan. It consists of 46 parishes, 25 schools, 28 deacons, and 58 diocesan priests and serves a population of 118,452 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend James A. Murray, who was installed as bishop in 1998, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of October 13-17, 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. The Diocese received a Commendation for having had a sexual abuse prevention policy in place since 1989 and for having developed a “trauma recovery program” that offers psychological support to victims/survivors of any form of abuse and that is open to all individuals. Bishop Murray has offered to meet with the two persons who have made allegations that they were sexually abused as minors, and whose cases were re-reviewed following the adoption of the Charter. The victim assistance coordinator is Mr. T. Edward Carey Jr., who also functions as the diocesan chancellor and the bishop’s delegate to develop preliminary information regarding allegations of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. The Recommendation was made that the bishop consider reassigning some of these responsibilities in order to avoid the potential for conflicts of interest. The diocesan review board was established in 2002 and consists of 11 members, including two priests and nine 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, and none have been entered into in the history of the Diocese.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Diocese has established effective liaison with local civil authorities, ensuring an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations. 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.

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 who have regular contact with children. The Recommendation was made that the Diocese expand and formalize the various programs for the prevention of abuse currently available in its schools, and include training for those children attending religious education who are not in diocesan schools. 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 is conducting background evaluations of all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. It was recommended, however, that the program be expanded to include the investigation of vendors and independent contractors. It was further recommended that checks be conducted for all places where an individual has worked during the previous seven years if outside the state, and that diocesan policy be amended to include provision for periodic reinvestigation. 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 in another diocese. 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 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. A representative of the bishop does, however, attend a monthly interdenominational meeting at which the issue of sexual abuse of minors, among other topics, is discussed. 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 Kalamazoo was issued three Recommendations and two Commendations.

RECOMMENDATION 1—That the Diocese expand and formalize the various programs for the prevention of abuse currently available in its schools and include training for those children attending religious education who are not students of diocesan schools.


RECOMMENDATION 2—That the Diocese consider separating the duties of the victim assistance coordinator and of the bishop’s delegate, which are currently held by the diocesan chancellor.

RECOMMENDATION 3—That the Diocese’s policy for background investigations be expanded to include vendors/independent contractors, reinvestigations after an appropriate period of time, and the locations, if out of state, where an individual has worked.

COMMENDATION 1—For the establishment of a “trauma recovery program,” which offers psychological support and counseling to all victims/survivors of any form of abuse and that is open to all individuals.

COMMENDATION 2—For the establishment of an excellent sexual abuse prevention and response policy in 1989, well before the requirements of the Charter.

As of December 1, 2003, all Recommendations had been addressed; however, the training program selected for children will not be fully implemented until early 2004. The Diocese of Kalamazoo is found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter, as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 of Section I, and noted.


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