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Catholic Diocese Outlines Misconduct Allegation Process
Confirmed
In Short: For allegations of abuse of a minor, the Vatican reviews the case and instructs the bishop on the appropriate process.
EWTN News reported that when a priest is accused of misconduct, a diocesan bishop typically initiates a 'prior investigation' to gather facts.
According to Monsignor William King, JCD, an assistant professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America, the bishop accepts an allegation if there is sufficient suspicion of its truth.
King explained that the accused priest and all involved parties are bound to secrecy to protect reputations.
Depending on the nature of the allegations, the bishop may opt for a 'penal remedy,' which could range from a warning to a formal document prohibiting certain actions.
Tribunals determine whether a priest committed a crime and if the crime is 'fully imputable' to the priest.
King noted that a bishop may remove a priest from ministry temporarily if deemed necessary and appoint an investigator to lead the inquiry.
Father Pfleger of the Archdiocese of Chicago criticized the current policy, arguing it is unfair to accused priests.
Parishioners of St. Sabina called for reform of the archdiocesan review board process.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is conducting a study on the review board process, funded by an anonymous source.
Critics argue that the mandated review process, established by the Dallas Charter in 2002, is flawed.
Some, like Father Pfleger, contend that the process is overly harsh and can lead to false accusations.
McChesney, however, is cautious about changing policies based on isolated reports of erroneous allegations.
What this adds
The process is largely the same for administrative misconduct and sexual abuse allegations.
The Vatican can approve or reject a diocese’s decision if the matter is reserved to Rome.
Background
EWTN News explains the steps a diocese takes when a priest is accused of misconduct.
What's confirmed
- EWTN News reported that when a priest is accused of misconduct, a diocesan bishop typically initiates a 'prior investigation' to gather facts.
- According to Monsignor William King, JCD, an assistant professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America, the bishop accepts an allegation if there is sufficient suspicion of its truth.
- King explained that the accused priest and all involved parties are bound to secrecy to protect reputations.
- Depending on the nature of the allegations, the bishop may opt for a 'penal remedy,' which could range from a warning to a formal document prohibiting certain actions.
- Tribunals determine whether a priest committed a crime and if the crime is 'fully imputable' to the priest.
- King noted that a bishop may remove a priest from ministry temporarily if deemed necessary and appoint an investigator to lead the inquiry.
- Father Pfleger of the Archdiocese of Chicago criticized the current policy, arguing it is unfair to accused priests.
- Parishioners of St. Sabina called for reform of the archdiocesan review board process.
- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is conducting a study on the review board process, funded by an anonymous source.
- Critics argue that the mandated review process, established by the Dallas Charter in 2002, is flawed.
- Some, like Father Pfleger, contend that the process is overly harsh and can lead to false accusations.
- McChesney, however, is cautious about changing policies based on isolated reports of erroneous allegations.
What's still developing
- News headlines in recent years have periodically reported on Catholic priests accused of various types of misconduct, including financial crimes and sexual abuse, among other allegations.
- The process is largely the same whether the allegations involve claims of administrative or professional misconduct or if they involve accusations of sexual abuse, King said.
- However, allegations against a priest of abuse of a minor are “reserved to the Holy See,” he said.
- “[The dicastery] will review that and instruct the bishop as to what type of process should be followed — administrative or judicial,” King said.
- “When the bishop sends the initial dossier or file over, most of the time he will make a recommendation” as to which process should be followed, King said.
- The Vatican can approve or reject a diocese’s decision if the matter is reserved to Rome, King said.
- A priest, King said, can appeal a diocese’s decision to the Roman Rota if he wishes.
- “Let me be clear, sexual abuse is wrong and I realize that the Catholic Church has a long history of not dealing with accusations and has spent a number of years putting strong policies in place, but I have said countless times I believe the current policy is wrong and unfair to the accused priest,” Father Pfleger wrote on July 11, responding in a statement to media the same day his suspension from ministry at the Faith Community of St. Sabina was announced.
- Father Pfleger acknowledged that the process established by the Archdiocese of Chicago to deal with accusations of abuse required him to silently accept his removal from ministry until an investigation was concluded.
- “I think we pay a price now as priests in this situation, when you can easily be the target of a false allegation because for decades, for centuries, the church has not acted according to her own law and has not taken appropriate measures,” he says.
- Catholic Church, the response this summer from one accused priest was dramatic and unprecedented.
- Many have made similar critiques of the mandated review process since the “ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People ” (known informally as the Dallas Charter) was first enacted in 2002.