Archdiocese of
Miami, Florida
The Archdiocese of Miami (“the Archdiocese”), which was established in 1958, currently encompasses three counties in southern Florida. It consists of 111 parishes and 7 missions, one seminary, two universities, and 65 elementary and secondary schools and serves a population of 1.2 million registered Catholics with 439 priests and 137 deacons. The Most Reverend John C. Favalora, who was installed as archbishop in 1994, leads the Archdiocese. A compliance audit of the Archdiocese was conducted during the period of September 1-5, 2003.
The information presented below represents conditions as they were found 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 1986, and this policy provides for an outreach program designed to provide immediate pastoral care to victims/survivors and their families. The Archdiocese has a victim assistance coordinator, Vicki Kaufmann, who has two master’s degrees and 20 years of social service experience. A lay review board, established in June 2002, currently consists of five respected members of the community, including a psychiatrist, a doctor, an attorney, one priest, and a canon lawyer. (A prior review board had been in existence since 1996.) A Recommendation was written requesting (a) that the current policy pertaining to the board be revised and updated to ensure that it contains detailed procedures and objectives, specific timeframes, and consistent terminology; and (b) that the vicar general be tasked with presenting allegations to the board. 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.To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Archdiocese has had contact with every local civil authority in the Archdiocese regarding sexual abuse violations, and its policy provides for immediate reporting of all allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate authorities. 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. 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. A Commendation was written regarding the Archdiocese’s commitment to openness and transparency.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 has implemented a safe environment program through VIRTUS and has begun the process of training priests and adults having regular contact with children. Additionally, the Archdiocese has a policy that addresses the elements of providing safe environments 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. The Archdiocese has policies and procedures in place that require completed background investigations on all members of the clergy and for all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. The Archdiocese has been fingerprinting personnel since 1999; however, there is no control procedure in place to determine who has been checked. A Recommendation was written requiring a central point be established to collect, review, and maintain control of background checks. 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. The archbishop and the major superiors of religious orders with a presence in the Archdiocese have recently begun to coordinate their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a cleric member of a religious institute. 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. The Archdiocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination and formation programs for priests.
Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter
At the conclusion of this audit, the Archdiocese of Miami was issued two Recommendations and one Commendation.
RECOMMENDATION 1—That the archdiocesan policy pertaining to the review board be revised and updated to ensure that it contains detailed procedures and objectives, specific timeframes, and consistent terminology; and that the promoter of justice/vicar general present the allegations of sexual abuse to the board.
RECOMMENDATION 2—That the Archdiocese ensure that one central point be responsible for the collection, review, and control of all background checks.
COMMENDATION—For the Archdiocese’s commitment to openness and transparency.
As of December 1, 2003, all Recommendations had been addressed. The Archdiocese of Miami 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.
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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