US bishops' report shows $436 million in sex-abuse expenses for 2008
March 13, 2009
Catholic dioceses and religious orders in the US paid $436 million in 2008 on legal settlements and other expenses related to sexual abuse by clergy. The 6th annual report mandated by the Dallas Charter, which the US bishops approved in 2002, shows that dioceses also spent $23 million on programs that are said to protect children from sexual abuse.
The report, based on information collected by Georgetown's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, showed that over 800 complaints of sexual abused had been lodged against priests in 2008. However, only 10 of those complaints involved recent activity; most of the complaints involved alleged offenses in the 1960s and 1970s, and nearly all of the priests accused are deceased, retired, or otherwise inactive. The report also notes that among the hundreds of priests who have been suspended under the terms of the Dallas Charter, 16 were exonerated and returned to active ministry in 2008 after the complaints against them were disproven or found to be insubstantial.
Several dioceses declined to participate fully in the audits and child-protection programs suggested by the staff of the bishops' conference. Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska, has consistently refused to allow audits. Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, Oregon, rejected the "safe-environment" programs suggested for children, explaining that he sees these programs as an unwarranted involvement in explicit sex-education training. Several eparchies of the Eastern Catholic churches also failed to fulfill the terms of the audit process.
Judge Michael Merz, the chairman of the National Review Board appointed by the bishops' conference, expressed regret that some dioceses continue to resist involvement with the process. Speaking particularly about criticism of the "safe-environment" programs, he said: "We hope the Conference will encourage open dialogue on any reservations bishops may have about this part of the Charter implementation."
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Further information:
- Dioceses Increased Spending on Sex Abuse Prevention in 2008; Most Dioceses Compliant with Bishops' Child Protection Charter (USCCB)
- US church's costs for clergy sex abuse topped $436 million last year (CNS)
- Catholic bishops: Clergy abuse claims rose in 2008 (AP)
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