ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
 


 

Release of
Independent Ad Hoc Advisory Committee
Report to Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
February 21, 2007

Late last March we released a comprehensive report concerning the Archdiocesan policies, practices and protocols for responding to allegations of clerical sexual abuse of minors. At the same time, we published two independent consultants’ reports that candidly and thoroughly examined the Archdiocese’s specific actions. Both reports can be found in their entireties on the Archdiocesan web site www.archchicago.org. The first of these reports is a forensic review of the Archdiocese’s processes when allegations of current child abuse by clergy are made; the second report is a review of the state of the Archdiocese’s monitoring program for priests removed from ministry.

Following the publication of the two reports, the Cardinal also appointed an Ad Hoc Advisory Committee consisting of a group of individuals with particular expertise and experience, to work directly with him to oversee the implementation of the consultants’ recommendations. Over the course of eight months of work, the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee met several times with Cardinal George and key members of the Archdiocese’s administration.

Cardinal George has authorized me to release the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee’s report that he received. The report, along with the following related documents and additional informational items, are posted on the Archdiocesan web site:

  • The Ad Hoc Advisory Committee’s report to Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
  • Ad Hoc Advisory Committee members’ roster.
  • Two charts that specifically identify what actions have been taken by the Archdiocese of Chicago to address the particular recommendations of the Defenbaugh and Childers reports.
  • Amended Memorandum of Understanding with the State’s Attorneys of Cook and Lake Counties.
  • Joint Protocol for the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Department of Children and Family Services.
  • Letter from William Gavin and Associates, auditors for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Office for the Protection of Children and Youth, dated October 23, 2006. This letter, resulting from a weeklong review by two members of the Gavin group in October 2006, confirms that the Archdiocese is in full compliance with the national Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
  • The Office for the Protection of Children and Youth has been reorganized under the direction of the Chancellor, to clarify, enhance and streamline the process for receiving and acting upon reports of child sexual abuse by clergy, deacons, religious or lay employees of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
    • Womazetta Jones, who was most recently the Child Protection Statewide Training Manager for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Chicago, has been hired as the Director of Safe Environment for the Archdiocesan Office for the Protection of Children and Youth and will direct all ongoing training for pastoral center groups, parishes, employees and volunteers of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
    • John Goad, formerly Deputy Director of the Division of Child Protection for DCFS, continues to be retained by the Archdiocese to advise and consult on compliance issues with the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA).
    • The name of the Office of Professional Responsibility has been changed to the Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review. Additionally, the title of the Professional Responsibility Administrator has been changed to Director of the Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review. This Office will continue to support and facilitate the primary processes of the independent Review Board.
    • Links to the Children Matter Network website (www.childrenmatternetwork.org), an initiative of the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth, are prominently identified on the Archdiocesan website’s main page as well as on the Spanish, Polish and African American websites. This new network initiative lists contact information, programs, resources and agencies of the Archdiocese that are involved in child sexual abuse prevention, outreach, ministry and training for parents, children and others interested in the safety of children.

We believe the Committee’s report confirms that the Archdiocese has acted transparently, responsibly, and effectively to address its continuing primary obligation to protect children.

I personally believe that the totality of actions - child abuse recognition training, Virtus programs, ANCRA training, background checks, child safety and abuse prevention programming, collaborative work with the responsible public agencies, comprehensive file review and other actions - is unmatched by any institution, corporation or school in this Archdiocese. However, we know that continued vigilance will always be necessary. We are committed to this constant, ongoing work to assure the protection and safety of children in our parishes, schools and institutions.


Jimmy M. Lago, Chancellor
Archdiocese of Chicago