The lessons from abuse crisis are many

Dec. 7, 2006

My Dear Friends in Christ,

As we near the end of this calendar year and the one-year anniversary of my Episcopal ordination as Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, I feel an obligation to speak with you on an issue that has impacted all of us as Catholics. I speak of the issue of clergy abuse of minors.

Over the past few months, I have received a number of letters and e-mails wondering why I have not been more "vocal" or "public" in addressing this troublesome issue.

Allow me to get right to the point.

This current crisis in Church history has been difficult for everyone. Of paramount interest to me is the welfare of anyone who may have been abused by a priest of our diocese. I repeat the message that my predecessor, Archbishop DiNardo, said on countless occasions. As Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, I express my personal apology and sorrow to anyone who may have been abused by one of our priests. One instance of abuse is one too many and will not be tolerated. I urge anyone who may have been the victim of clergy abuse to contact me so that I may respond in a manner that promotes both physical and spiritual healing.

Now, let's deal with those issues which I feel need to be addressed.

Bishop Lawrence D. Soens

Bishop Soens served our Diocese as bishop from 1983 to 1998. He served us well and I appreciate his vision and the many wonderful things he continued and initiated in our Diocese. He has been very helpful to me in my transition into the role of bishop in our diocese. Information about accusations of sexual misconduct of Bishop Soens while he was a priest in the Diocese of Davenport has been widely reported throughout the state of Iowa. Many of you have wondered why I have not publicly commented on the matter. That is a legitimate question.

First of all, please understand that there are no allegations against Bishop Soens from the Diocese of Sioux City. The charges made against him come from his years of service to the Diocese of Davenport and most of them are well over 40 years old.

Since the very first allegation was made against Bishop Soens well over two years ago, he has maintained his innocence. In fact, the Diocese has received letters and e-mails from former Iowa City Regina High School students who claim the charges made against Bishop Soens are without merit. I think it is unfair to assume someone is guilty before they have had their day in court.

I think it is important that we do not rush to judgment. As you have seen from recent news accounts, the trial of Bishop Soens has been delayed while various legal motions are considered. Bishop Soens has withdrawn from all public ministries and is not functioning as a priest or bishop in our diocese or any other diocese.

I have been shocked and saddened at some of the nasty letters and e-mails I have received regarding Bishop Soens. That attitude is shameful and does not speak to what it means to be Christian. Let's all remember that in the United States, a person is innocent until proven guilty. That hallmark of our justice system applies to everyone. It is also a gospel value that respects the dignity of each person created by our loving God. In the end, God alone is the judge of all of us and each of us will be asked to give on account of our actions.

Bishop Soens has suffered much because of the issues he has to deal with concerning the allegations made against him. I know Bishop Soens prays for all of us everyday, including those who have accused him of wrongdoing. In the spirit of compassion and justice, I would ask you to pray for him. Continue to pray as well for all victims of sexual abuse and for those who assist them in healing and growth in holiness.

The Costs of Abuse

The most significant cost is the damage done to a victim of sexual abuse. Even though the legal system assigns a numerical cost to that damage, the real tragedy is the psychological impact the abuse may have especially on a child.

Every year, typically in January or February, the Diocese of Sioux City, publishes an annual report in The Globe. This report provides quantitative data on the impact on abuse cases in terms of the number of new allegations, the number of priests implicated in those allegations and the amount of money the diocese expended in the resolution of abuse lawsuits. Here is what we reported earlier this year.

In 2005, there were 8 new allegations made against 6 priests. Of these allegations, five involved deceased priests and three involved priests who were still living. Of the three allegations against living priests one was made against an active priest. The complaint against that priest was determined to be unfounded following a thorough investigation by the Iowa Department of Human Services.

During the 2005 calendar year, the diocese settled 19 claims. One claim was dismissed and is on appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. The total expended on the settlements was $1,835,000. Insurance covered 70% of the cost or $1,281,250. The diocesan share was $457,500 or 25% with accused covering the remaining 5% or $96,250. Our diocese, like many others, seeks to be proactive in preventing and dealing with issues surrounding the sexual abuse of minors.

In addition to costs associated with the victims' settlements, the diocese expended an additional $44,684 in this past year that covered the following expenses:

Background Checks / VIRTUS Training $21,517
(for all in the diocese working with youth)

Audit Expense / Review Board $14,228
(as mandated by the United States Conference of Bishop)

Attorney Fees (not covered by insurance) $6,774

Victim Therapy / Treatment $2,165

TOTAL $44,684

Those are the numbers from last year. In the first 11 months of this year, we have received four new allegations of abuse, all of them involving George McFadden, a priest of our diocese who no longer functions in priestly ministry. Several claims have been resolved in 2006. We currently have three active lawsuits.

All costs associated with clergy sexual abuse cases come from unrestricted diocesan funds such as endowment earnings and private donations. No funds that were designated for specific purposes such as the Centennial Campaign for Excellence, parish weekend collections, the Catholic School Foundation, Catholic Charities or the Diocesan Annual Appeal were used to pay any of the expenses associated with abuse cases.

That being said, I know parishioners have valid concerns about the impact these lawsuits may have on the well being of their specific parish. The recent decision by the Diocese of Davenport to declare bankruptcy has intensified that discussion. Once again, these are legitimate concerns for us here in the Diocese of Sioux City. We want to protect all parish funds and while we believe our corporate structure is sound, there is no such thing as a 100% guarantee that parish assets will not be affected. We will do all we can to ensure that these parish assets are protected as well as those funds that are designated for a specific purpose.

The question has also arisen as to why McFadden has not been "defrocked" or "laicized". Those decisions are not made by the local church, but by Congregation for the Clergy at the Vatican. The Congregation ordered that, because of his advanced age, McFadden spend the rest of his life in prayer and penance. He is prohibited from presenting himself as a priest or functioning in any way as a priest.

What we Have Learned as a Result of this Crisis

The lessons are many.

Our children are our most valuable and precious resource. Their protection should be a central theme to all we do. Falling short of that is unacceptable.

Turning a blind eye to a problem is the wrong answer. As soon as we learn of a potential problem, there is a protocol in place that ensures an immediate response.

If you serve in the Diocese of Sioux City, either as a layperson, priest or religious, it is mandatory that you undergo Virtus training. This is a national program aimed at protecting all children from sexual abuse. Since the launch of Virtus in 2002, more than 7,000 employees and volunteers have completed the training. I doubt there is any other organization in America that has been as proactive on abuse training than the Catholic Church.

In addition to Virtus training, the diocese also does background checks on anyone whose work involves children. That means anyone from a school bus driver to a choir director or Religious Education teacher will be checked before they are allowed to function in that role. These background checks are absolutely essential for the protection of our children.

Turning the Page

My motto as Bishop is "Speak the Truth in Love". That is how I intend to deal with the issue of clergy abuse of minors.

If you know of an instance of abuse, please let me know so I can respond in a pastoral manner.

I love being a priest and bishop.

I love administering the sacraments and leading others to holiness.

I love being able to try and help people when they need it most.

With the grace of God, we will emerge from this turmoil a stronger and more faithful church. Please pray for our priests who work so hard for you every day and encourage them as they spend their lives in service to you. Pray for all who live in our diocese, as brothers and sisters of the Lord, may He bless all our efforts to be His holy people.

In daily prayer, I consistently ask God to bless us and help us through this troubling time. I also ask for the grace to help those who in any way need our care and assistance.

May God continue to bless us all with His love and peace.

Your Brother in Christ,

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City