Byzantine Archeparchy of
Pittsburgh of the Ruthenians
(Pennsylvania)
The Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh of the Ruthenians (“the Archeparchy”), which was established in February 1924, covers the western part of Pennsylvania, certain counties in Ohio, and the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. The Archeparchy consists of 84 parishes with 65 active priests. There is one seminary, two elementary schools, one Benedictine monastery of men, and a Benedictine monastery of women. Archbishop Basil M. Schott has served as the metropolitan archbishop for the Archeparchy since July 9, 2002. He leads a Byzantine Catholic community of 60,290 people. A compliance audit was conducted during the period of September 2-5, 2003.

The following describes conditions evident during the week of the audit.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Archeparchy has an outreach program to respond to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy. The program has provisions for counseling and spiritual assistance and cooperates with social service agencies and Latin Rite dioceses throughout the Archeparchy. A written policy on response to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor has been in place since 1987 and has since been revised to conform to the Charter. The response policy and guidance have been incorporated into a pamphlet. Sr. Seraphim Olsafsky, OSBM, is the victim assistance coordinator. A six-member review board, including two clergy, was established in fall 2002 and comprises a diverse group of highly qualified professionals and lay persons. The archbishop was commended for recruiting and establishing such a highly qualified board within a relatively short period following his appointment. The Archeparchy has not entered into any confidentiality agreements with victims/survivors.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
A procedure is in place to report instances of abuse to public authorities and to advise victims/survivors of their right to make a public report. Standards of ministerial conduct and appropriate boundaries for clergy and other church personnel who have regular contact with children have been adopted, clearly articulated, and publicized. Numerous articles have communicated Archeparchy policy, including those in the Byzantine Catholic World, the newspaper of the Archeparchy. The communications policy reflects openness and transparency.

To Ensure Accountability of Procedures
The Archeparchy 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 Archeparchy has established a safe environment program that provides training for parents, educators, clergy, employees, and volunteers who regularly work with youth. A safe environment program to address the needs of children and youth is being established. The entire Archeparchy relies on cooperation with Latin Rite dioceses as well as with applicable state components. Procedures for evaluating the background of all eparchial personnel, including independent contractors and volunteers, are in development. Screening and evaluation procedures are used in evaluating the fitness of candidates for ordination. Since June 2002, no cleric has been transferred or taken up residence outside the Archeparchy for either ministerial or residency purposes. The archbishop, or his designee, has met or had discussion with his counterpart major superiors of clerical institutes or their representatives in the Archeparchy regarding their roles in responding to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy. Ongoing formation of clergy programs have been developed and implemented.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

As of December 1, 2003, the Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh was found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 in Section I. At the conclusion of the audit, the Archeparchy was issued two Commendations.

COMMENDATION 1—For the expeditious creation of a review board consisting of highly qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience.

COMMENDATION 2—For entering into agreements with Latin Rite dioceses to utilize their programs for backgrounds and other necessary for the protection of children and compliance with the Charter.


*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