Diocese of
Manchester, New Hampshire
The Diocese of Manchester (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1884, encompasses the entire state of New Hampshire, consists of 120 parishes and 33 schools, has 216 diocesan priests and 49 deacons, and serves a population of 336,803 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend John B. McCormack, who was installed as bishop in 1998, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of September 1-5, 2003.

The information set forth below represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding compliance with the Charter will be found in the last paragraph.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Diocese has established an outreach program. A Commendation was issued for the creation of a mutual-help support group providing victims/survivors of sexual abuse an opportunity for sharing, prayerful reflection, and spiritual renewal. The bishop, or his designee, has met or offered to meet with victims/survivors of abuse in the Diocese who have reported the abuse since June 2002. The victim assistance coordinator is Joseph P. Naff, who is a licensed social worker. The diocesan review board was established in 1999 and consists of eight members, including individuals with backgrounds in law enforcement, psychology, and government. Also on the board are victims/survivors of clergy sexual abuse and two non-Catholics. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed form. The Diocese has not requested, required, or encouraged complainants to request confidentiality in connection with settlements of sexual abuse cases and none of the settlement agreements entered into by the Diocese since June 2002 require that the complainants keep the allegations or settlement amounts confidential.

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. A Commendation was issued for the excellence of activities in furtherance of this policy, including the creation in 2003 of an “opinion leader group,” consisting of two representatives of every parish in the Diocese. This group has met with the bishop on one occasion and continues to function as the conduit through which information regarding sexual abuse and other issues is communicated to the parishes.

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. To date, training has been provided to more than 7,000 people. 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 for all Catholic school personnel and seminarians and has begun the process of screening all other diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. The Diocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse lodged against him to another diocese for ministerial assignment. In the cases of five priests who relocated to other dioceses for purposes of residence, the bishops of those dioceses were sent notification that confidentially provided all information relating to allegations of sexual abuse of a child by the priests. 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, but the Diocese has participated with these groups in conferences and meetings where information has been shared. The Diocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination and programs for priestly formation.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Manchester was issued two Commendations.

COMMENDATION 1—For the establishment of “Bethany: A Place of Healing and New Life,” a support group for adults who have been victims/survivors of sexual abuse by the clergy. This group has been established and generally meets monthly in six New Hampshire cities and affords individuals an opportunity for personal sharing, prayerful reflection, and spiritual renewal.

COMMENDATION 2—For an open communications policy, which includes establishment of the “opinion leader group,” comprising two members of each parish in the Diocese who serve as conduits for the communication of information regarding sexual abuse and other issues to the parishes.

As of December 1, 2003, the Diocese of Manchester 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.




__________________________________

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