Diocese of
Tyler, Texas
The Diocese of Tyler (“the Diocese”), which was established on February 24, 1987, encompasses 33 counties in east and northeast Texas. It consists of 48 parishes and 25 missions, 65 deacons, 42 diocesan priests, and five schools, and it serves a population of 56,127 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend Alvaro Corrada, who was installed on December 5, 2000, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of July 28–August 1, 2003.

The information found herein represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding recommended corrective action taken by the Diocese subsequent to the audit will be found in the last paragraph.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Diocese established an outreach program in 1987, and the program was updated on March 1, 2003. The Diocese was commended for its forward-thinking posture in developing and adopting a written policy on healing and reconciliation. The bishop, or his designee, will meet with victims/survivors reporting sexual abuse by clergy assigned to the Diocese. The victim assistance coordinator is Fr. Gavin Vaverek, who also functions as a pastor in Longview, Texas. The diocesan review board was established in August 2002 and consists of seven well-qualified lay and cleric personnel. The procedures for filing a complaint of sexual abuse are readily available in printed form, and announcements are made in the diocesan bi-weekly newspaper. 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
The Diocese has established effective, cooperative liaison with civil authorities, ensuring open dialogue regarding sexual abuse reporting and investigations. The Diocese has a procedure in place to advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. It was recommended that the Diocese include in its written policy specific instructions as outlined in Article 5 of the Charter. The Diocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons. A communications policy exists that reflects the bishop’s pledge to be open and transparent with regard to issues involving the sexual abuse of children. The Diocese was commended for this policy.

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 developed and implemented a safe environment program. The Diocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and other church personnel who have regular contact with children and young people. The Diocese conducts background checks for all personnel and volunteers who have regular contact with children, and the Texas Department of Public Safety has agreed to conduct criminal inquiries on all diocesan employees for a fee. The Diocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse made against him to another diocese for a ministerial assignment, or for purposes of residency. There are no major clerical institutes located in the Diocese; however, the bishop meets with and discusses matters of sexual abuse prevention with religious order priests. The Diocese has contacted the Methodist Church and volunteered to help them to update their sexual abuse prevention policy; however, no response to the offer has been received to date. The Diocese has established screening and evaluation techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination. The Diocese has a systematic, ongoing formation program in keeping with the Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests (2001).¹

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Tyler was issued one Recommendation and two Commendations.

RECOMMENDATION—That the Diocese consider including in its written outreach policy the specific instructions outlined in Article 5 of the Charter.

COMMENDATION 1—For developing and adopting, before June 2002, a written policy targeting the healing and reconciliation of victims/survivors of sexual abuse by members of the clergy.

COMMENDATION 2—For establishing a very open and transparent communications policy as it relates to sexual abuse of minors by the clergy.

As of December 1, 2003, the Recommendation has been addressed. The Diocese of Tyler is found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 in Section I.

Note

1. USCCB, Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2001).

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