Archdiocese of
San Francisco, California
The Archdiocese of San Francisco (“the Archdiocese”), which was established on July 29, 1853, encompasses three counties in California. It consists of 89 parishes and 10 missions, 210 archdiocesan priests, 67 deacons one seminary, three colleges/universities, and 14 high schools and 65 elementary schools, and serves a population of 425,000 Catholics. The Most Reverend William J. Levada, who was installed as archbishop in 1996, leads the Archdiocese. A compliance audit of the Archdiocese was conducted during the period of July 21-25, 2003.

The information set forth below represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding 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 established an outreach program in 1991, revised it in 2001, and included an addendum to the program in April 2003. A Commendation was issued to the Archdiocese for its excellent outreach program. The archbishop, or most often the auxiliary bishop, has met or offered to meet with victims/survivors of abuse in the Archdiocese who reported the abuse after June 2002. The victim assistance coordinator is Barbara Elordi who has excellent qualifications for this role. The archdiocesan independent review board was established in August 2002 and consists of six members, including two clinical psychologists, a former judge, a retired police officer, and two clerics. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed form. There have been no confidentiality agreements entered into by the Archdiocese since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Archdiocese has established effective liaison with civil authorities, ensuring that all reports will be made and that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations will occur. A procedure to advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities is in place. The The Archdiocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons. A communications policy is in effect that reflects the archbishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding sexual abuse of children and young people.

To Ensure Accountability of Procedures
The Archdiocese is participating 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 selected and implemented Out of Harm’s Way and Creating Safe and Sacred Places as its safe environment programs. The Archdiocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as archdiocesan employees, volunteers, and any other persons of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. The Archdiocese conducts background investigations for all archdiocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. The Archdiocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse made against him to another ministerial assignment, or for purposes of residency to another diocese. The archbishop, or his representative, and major superiors have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a cleric member of a religious institute. The archbishop has extended invitations to other faiths and institutions of learning regarding conducting research in the area of sexual abuse of minors, but none have accepted. The Archdiocese has established an extensive screening and evaluation process for the selection of candidates for ordination and has a systematic ongoing formation program for priests.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Archdiocese of San Francisco was found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 in Section I. The Archdiocese was issued one Commendation.

COMMENDATION—For the significant strides made in the development of an effective outreach program.


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