Eparchy of
Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles
in St. Louis, Missouri
The Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles in St. Louis (“the Eparchy”), which was established on March 1, 1994, encompasses 34 midwestern, southern, and western states. It consists of 31 parishes, 24 eparchial priests, nine deacons, and one school and serves a population of 27,870 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend Robert Shaheen, who was installed as bishop on February 15, 2001, leads the Eparchy. A compliance audit of the Eparchy was conducted during the period of September 29–October 2, 2003.
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding recommended corrective actions taken by the Eparchy subsequent to the audit will be found in the last paragraph.Findings
To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Eparchy has established an outreach program. Within that program, it promulgated two impressive policy statements and was commended for the thoroughness and quality of those statements. However, it was recommended that the Eparchy generate a greater dissemination of its policies and reporting procedures to ensure a complete understanding by the Catholic community. The Eparchy has appointed a well-qualified victim assistance coordinator. The eparchial review board consists of eight members with varied backgrounds and experiences that lend themselves to the task at hand. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are available in printed form; however, a brochure regarding this procedure was being finalized, and the procedures will also be posted on the eparchial website. There have not been any confidentiality agreements entered into by the Eparchy since June 2002.To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
To date, there have been no reported allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by a member of the clergy or other eparchial personnel. The Eparchy, is however, committed to full cooperation with civil authorities should there be such an occurrence in the future. Liaison with the appropriate prosecuting attorneys have been established. The Eparchy has a procedure in place to advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse to civil authorities. A clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons has been established. The eparchial communications policy reflects a commitment to openness and transparency regarding to issues of sexual abuse of children and youth.To Ensure Accountability of Procedures
The Eparchy 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
to clergy and seminarians but not yet to church employees and volunteers. It was recommended this training be provided to those individuals as soon as possible. Also, training has not been provided to school employees and students, and it was recommended this be addressed immediately. The Eparchy has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as eparchial employees, volunteers, and any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children. Background checks for all eparchial and parish personnel who have regular contact with children are being appropriately conducted. The opportunity to conduct research regarding the sexual abuse of minors with other faiths and institutions of learning has not presented itself. The Eparchy has established screening and evaluation techniques for selecting candidates for ordination and ongoing formation programs.
Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter
At the conclusion of this audit, the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles in St. Louis was issued three Recommendations and one Commendation.
RECOMMENDATION 1—That the Eparchy finalize and disseminate the brochure setting forth procedures for filing a complaint of sexual abuse.
RECOMMENDATION 2—That the Eparchy coordinate with the appropriate dioceses to ensure appropriate training is afforded to employees and volunteers of the Eparchy.
RECOMMENDATION 3—That the Eparchy determine the state of safe environment training in the one school within its jurisdiction and, if needed, take steps to rectify this issue.
COMMENDATION—For the Eparchy’s exceptional outreach program document and code/standards of conduct.
As of December 1, 2003, Recommendations 1 and 3 have been addressed. The Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles in St. Louis is found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 in Section I, with the exception of Article 12 (safe environment training).
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