Diocese of
Superior, Wisconsin
The Diocese of Superior (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1905, encompasses 16 counties in northern Wisconsin. It consists of 112 parishes and 17 elementary schools and serves a population of 83,980 registered Catholics with 44 active diocesan priests and 52 deacons. The Most Reverend Raphael M. Fliss, installed as bishop in 1985, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of September 29–October 3, 2003.

The information presented below represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding necessary 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 has had a prevention policy on sexual abuse of minors since 1988; it has been revised several times, most recently in 2003. This policy provides for an outreach program designed to provide immediate pastoral care to victims/survivors and their families. A Commendation was written recognizing the leadership shown in addressing the issue of sexual abuse early. The Diocese has a coordinator of assistance, Barbara Dickenson, who has extensive experience in social work. A new lay review board was reconstituted in 2003 as the successor of the original formed in 1993, and consists of two priests, who are non-voting members, and five respected members of the community, including an educator, an expert in child abuse prevention matters, and a retired sheriff. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed and electronic form. The Diocese has entered into no confidentiality agreements since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Diocese has had little contact with local civil authorities regarding sexual abuse allegations, because no allegations have been reported to the Diocese since June 2002. Policy, however, provides for immediate reporting of allegations to the appropriate authorities. The Diocese does have a procedure for advising victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. A Recommendation was written requiring the Diocese present a past case to the review board for consideration. The Diocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests, deacons, and other church personnel who have regular contact with children, using the VIRTUS model code of conduct. The Diocese has a communications policy reflecting the bishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children.

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 was found to be in the process of developing and implementing a series of safe environment program for presentation to clergy, educators, and adults having regular contact with children; it had not begun designing a program for the children themselves. An Instruction was written requiring the Diocese expedite the process of implementing a full program. As mentioned above, the Diocese 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 Diocese has selected the contractor who will assist in completing background investigations on all members of the clergy and all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors; however, the Diocese had not implemented a program. An Instruction was written requiring that this program be initiated in the near future. The Diocese 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 bishop and the major superiors of orders having a presence in the Diocese have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a clerical member of a religious institute. The Diocese 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 Diocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination, as well as ongoing formation programs for priests.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Superior was issued two Instructions, one Recommendation, and one Commendation.

INSTRUCTION 1—The Diocese will expedite the process of implementing its comprehensive safe environment program that will include the education of children.

INSTRUCTION 2—The Diocese will ensure that background checks of all clergy and adults who have regular contact with children are completed in the near future.

RECOMMENDATION—That the Diocese refer a past case to the lay review board for consideration.

COMMENDATION—For the leadership exhibited in trying to address the issue of sexual abuse of minors and for fostering the spirit of the Charter before its inception.

As of December 1, 2003, all Instructions and Recommendations had been addressed. The Diocese of Superior 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