Diocese of
Victoria, Texas
The Diocese of Victoria (“the Diocese”), which was established on May 29, 1982, encompasses 10 counties in southeast Texas. It consists of 50 parishes and 19 missions, 58 diocesan priests, 25 deacons and a population of 107,937 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend David E. Fellhauer, who was installed on May 28, 1990, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of August 4-8, 2003.

The information found herein represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding recommended 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 established an outreach program in 1992. The bishop has met with the victims/survivors of sexual abuse in the Diocese who have reported instances of sexual abuse. The victim assistance coordinator is Fr. Gary Janak, who possesses a master’s degree in counseling and therapy and is licensed in Texas. A Recommendation was made that consideration be given to naming a woman to assist Janak. The diocesan review board was established in July 2002 and consists of six members, including a parent, a licensed counselor, and others with varied occupations. A Recommendation was made that the Diocese incorporate functions and procedures of the review board into a formal document. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in written form and appear on the diocesan website and at various times in the diocesan 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 an excellent working relationship with civil authorities, which ensures an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations. All allegations received to date by the Diocese have been reported to the appropriate authorities. A Recommendation was made to add a statement to the Code of Pastoral Conduct and Policy Regarding Sexual Abuse of Minors handbook specifically directing that allegations of sexual abuse of a minor be reported to proper authorities in accordance with Texas law. Procedures are in place to advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. A clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons has been established. The Diocese has a communications policy reflecting the bishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children, yet protecting the privacy of those concerned.

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 selected and implemented a safe environment program developed and tailored by Hope of South Texas. The Diocese has published the Code of Pastoral Conduct for priests and deacons, as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other church persons in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. Background investigations are conducted for all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors, using the services of the Texas Department of Public Safety and a commercial company. The Diocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse lodged against him to another ministerial assignment, or for purposes of residency in another diocese. The bishop and the major superior confer both by telephone and in person at various times, discussing their roles in relation to the prevention of sexual abuse of minors by the clergy. The Diocese is open to cooperating, but has not had the opportunity to cooperate, with other faiths or institutions of learning to conduct research in the area of sexual abuse of minors. The Diocese has established extensive 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 the audit, the Diocese of Victoria was issued three Recommendations.

RECOMMENDATION 1—That the diocesan review board document its functions into a formal policy and devise written procedures to carry out those functions.

RECOMMENDATION 2—That the Diocese consider naming a woman with experience in counseling or psychology to assist the victim assistance coordinator.

RECOMMENDATION 3—That the diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct and Policy Regarding Sexual Abuse of Minors handbook state that allegations of sexual abuse of a minor must be reported to proper authorities in accordance with state law.

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