Diocese of
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The Diocese of Sioux Falls (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1889, encompasses 42 counties east of the Missouri River in South Dakota. The Diocese has 151 parishes, 27 deacons, and 83 active diocesan priests, serving a Catholic community of 125,000, three high schools, and 26 elementary schools. Bishop Robert J. Carlson has led the Diocese since March 1995. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of September 2-4, 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
The Diocese of Sioux Falls has a sexual misconduct policy that addresses numerous aspects of diocesan outreach and response to allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The bishop has met with at least 20 victims/survivors, including some from other dioceses. The bishop was commended for the quality of his outreach response. Sr. Mary Carole Curran was designated victim assistance coordinator in July 2002. A diverse, experienced seven-member review board was established in August 2002. Formal policies and procedures for the functioning of the review board exist. Established procedures for filing a complaint of sexual abuse have been promulgated and mailed to every Catholic household in the Diocese. Diocesan publications as well as the secular press have also broadcast church policies and procedures. There have been no confidentiality agreements entered into since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Diocese has an established policy of documenting and reporting all allegations of sexual abuse of minors, as well as cooperation with civil authorities, either to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigations or, in the case of Native American reservations, to the FBI. The sexual misconduct policy also addresses diocesan processes for responding to allegations of sexual abuse of minors, including the initiation of prompt preliminary investigations. The Diocese has documented standards of ministerial behavior and appropriate boundaries for clergy and other church personnel having regular contact with children. The bishop has a communications policy committed to transparency and openness.

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 for clergy, educators, staff, and volunteers and other persons of trust who have regular contact with children and youth. The diocesan sexual misconduct policy also promulgates policies and procedures for background evaluations and references for all diocesan and parish personnel, including contractors and volunteers who have regular contact with children. The Diocese uses state resources as well as private firms for conducting background inquires for employees and volunteers. The Diocese employs screening and evaluation techniques in evaluating the fitness of candidates for ordination. The Diocese has not transferred any offending clergy to other dioceses either for ministerial reasons or for residency. The bishop has met with the major superiors of religious communities to review policies and procedures for responding to allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The bishop has also met with members of the Association of Christian Churches of South Dakota to discuss issues relevant to sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The Diocese employs systematic ongoing formation programs for clergy.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Sioux Falls was issued one Commendation.

COMMENDATION—For the quality of the bishop’s initiative in responding to allegations of sexual abuse of minors and his pastoral outreach to victims/survivors of clergy abuse.

As of December 1, 2003, the Diocese of Sioux Falls 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.




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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