Diocese of
Rapid City, South Dakota
The Diocese of Rapid City (“the Diocese”), established in 1902, encompasses 23 counties of the western half of South Dakota and serves a Catholic community of 38,000 parishioners. There are 29 active diocesan priests, 27 permanent deacons, and 97 parishes serving the Diocese. The Most Reverend Blase J. Cupich has been the bishop since September 1998. A compliance audit was conducted during the period of June 30–July 3, 2003.

The following describes conditions evident during the week of the audit. Information on corrective actions taken by the Diocese subsequent to the audit will be found in the last paragraph.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
Diocesan outreach and response to the Charter is based initially on the Diocese’s 1993 policy Human Sexuality Issues for Those in Ministry; at the time of the audit a draft of a new policy defining comprehensive revised policies and procedures was under review for September 2003 implementation. A Recommendation was made to expedite approval and adoption of the draft policy. Another Recommendation suggested adding “and other churches” to complement outreach cooperation with other organizations. The bishop has met and/or spoken by phone with victims/survivors and their family members who desired such contact. In addition, he has met with other interested persons in groups. In all, he has had contact with 664 individuals. Maryann Tully, a registered nurse with 41 years of experience, is the victim assistance coordinator. It was recommended that the Diocese develop and publicize a method by which potential victims/survivors can promptly contact the victim assistance coordinator. The Diocese was commended for the development of a series of effective checklist forms to ensure that the requirements of the Charter and the Diocese are routinely being met. The draft policy addresses the composition and function of a five-member review board, composed, in part, of an attorney, a woman religious, a retired registered nurse/former state legislator, and the vicar general. Procedures are readily available for filing a complaint of abuse. There have been no confidentiality agreements entered into by the Diocese since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
Policy and procedures exist for reporting to and cooperating with civil authorities regarding allegations of sexual abuse by clergy, and victims/survivors are advised of their right to report to public authorities. The Diocese was commended for its record retention policy relating to allegations of sexual abuse of minors. Standards for ministerial conduct and appropriate boundaries have been adopted and clearly broadcast. The bishop was commended for his consistent openness and transparency relative to allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The bishop has visited and supported parishes directly affected by ministerial misconduct.

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 established a safe environment program directed at the various components of diocesan personnel and those having regular contact with children and young people. A code of conduct is included in the appendix to the draft sexual abuse prevention policy. The Diocese has an agreement with several private firms to provide background evaluations on diocesan and parish personnel and contractors. The resources of law enforcement and other community agencies are also relied on. The Diocese was commended for the draft policy requiring the retention of confidential records relating to background investigations of prospective employees for a period of 10 years following termination of employment. A number of comprehensive screening tools are employed to evaluate the fitness of candidates for ordination. The bishop has visited with three religious superiors in the Diocese on various matters to coordinate their respective roles in responding to reports of sexual misconduct by clergy. Systematic, ongoing formations of priests programs have been developed. The Diocese was commended for the exemplary boundaries workshop for priests in June 2002, which complements its formation program and provides training on reasonable and appropriate interaction by priests and other adults with children and young people. The priests of the Diocese were commended for creating the Jesu Caritas program to enhance their sense of community and renewal. Also, clergy were commended for their voluntary establishment of the Lazarus Fund. For the second year, they have agreed to donate 5 percent of their salary to the fund, which is used to pay for counseling and other needs of victims/survivors. They have also agreed to fast one day a week and to offer a Mass each week for the healing of the victims/survivors and the community in general.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Rapid City received three Recommendations and seven Commendations.

RECOMMENDATION 1—That the Diocese complete and adopt its new policy for implementing the provisions of the Charter.

RECOMMENDATION 2—That the Diocese include the words “and other churches” in its draft policy statement.

RECOMMENDATION 3—That the Diocese develop and publicize a method by which potential victims/survivors can promptly contact the victim assistance coordinator.

COMMENDATION 1—For the diocesan record retention policy relating to allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

COMMENDATION 2—For the diocesan record retention policy relating to background investigations of prospective employees.

COMMENDATION 3—For the bishop’s consistent openness and transparency in response to allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy, as evidenced by his meetings with more than 600 people regarding this issue.

COMMENDATION 4—For the exemplary boundaries workshop for priests, conducted in June 2002.

COMMENDATION 5—For the development of a series of effective checklist forms to ensure that the requirements of the Charter and the Diocese are being met in each case.

COMMENDATION 6—For the establishment of the Jesu Caritas program as a source of renewal and mutual support for priests.

COMMENDATION 7—For the diocesan priests’ voluntary establishment of the Lazarus Fund, to which they donate 5 percent of their salaries to pay for counseling and other needs of victims/survivors; and for weekly fasting and Masses offered for the healing of the victims/survivors and the community.

As of December 1, 2003, all Recommendations had been addressed. The Diocese of Rapid City 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