By Ray Barrington
News-Chronicle
In advance of a national study of sexual abuse by Catholic priests, the Diocese of Green Bay released its numbers of victims, priests involved and the cost over a 52-year period.
The numbers, covering the period from 1950 to 2002, are part of a study being conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York. The study was commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops with the national figures to be released Feb. 27.
Green Bay Bishop David Zubik said the diocese did not have to release numbers, as the study will only release totals, not breakdowns by region or diocese. He said his diocese wanted to be "transparent" in handling the issue.
The numbers, Zubik said, are these:
Over the period 1950-2002, 59 people have made allegations of sexual abuse of a minor against 35 priests in the diocese out of 819 who served during those years. In five other cases, charges were dropped either by authorities or the alleged victims.
Of those 35, 15 have died, 15 no longer have priestly duties but have not officially been taken out of the priesthood, one is facing criminal charges and four have been laicized - removed from the priesthood entirely.
Zubik explained the process of laicization is a lengthy one and that priests involved in abuse cases are removed from all duties immediately.
The diocese has paid out approximately $1.356 million for victims, mostly through insurance. Of this, $1.065 million was paid by insurance in three cases against one priest in the 1980s who served prison time. The remaining money was used for therapy and counseling, Zubik said.
"The money came from insurance and investments, not from parish monies, nor from diocesan operations, nor from contributions," the bishop said at a Thursday news conference.
Also released Thursday was a listing of incidents related to St. Norbert Abbey, which also participated in the study.
Its findings: Over the 111 years of the abbey, 16 of 267 priests were accused of sexual misconduct with children. Most of the accusations relate to events more than 20 years ago, with some as long as 50 years ago. There have been 54 allegations, nearly half of them against two priests, one dead and the other out of the priesthood.
Four of the allegations were dropped, and in a statement, Abbot Gary J. Neville said that "several are deemed questionable."
Of the 16 accused priests, eight have died, three are no longer in the Premonstratensian Order and five are still members but no longer function in active ministry, Neville said. Financial costs including settlement costs, attorneys fees and counseling have been in excess of $1 million, most covered by liability insurance.
Zubik started his news conference by "apologizing to those hurt in any way" by the actions of anyone in the diocese.
He said he had no numbers to compare the Green Bay figures to any other diocese.
In a statement, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests called the release of the information "a long overdue step" but said Zubik should have made more information public.
"The bishop needs to make a public record of the names and offfenses these men committed," the statement said.
"Bishop Zubik should do what several other church leaders have done, put the molester's names up on the diocese's Web site and beg his flock to call the law if they experienced, witnessed or suspected any abusive behavior, no matter when it took place and no matter who the perpetrator is."
The diocese has instructions on its Web site, and has printed in its paper and sent to parishes, names of people inside and outside of the diocese who would take reports and a statement that people may report directly to local authorities.
Zubik said he thought the release of the study could help in fighting abuse not only in the church, but in all areas.
"This is a scientific study that can help us all to grapple with the issue," he said.
He said the diocese was working to halt any further chances for abuse with required background checks for priests and other individuals working with youth as well as education in Catholic schools.
"We are taking the matter seriously," he said. "We are doing everything we can to eradicate the problem."
Neville also issued an apology as part of his statement.
"We cannot erase the pain of those who have been victimized, and to them, I apologize on behalf of the order," he said. "Our order, as a part of the Catholic church in the U.S., continues to struggle with the ugly, sad and painful reality of this history."
Announcment
The Diocese of Green Bay has printed this announcement in its newspaper, the Compass, and sent it four times to all of its parishes. It emphasizes that all first-party reports are turned over to local authorities and that people may report abuse directly to local authorities:
"If you know of an incident of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon, please report it to Sr. Mary Bride Grubbs, victim assistance coordinator of the diocese of Green Bay, at 1-877-500-3580 or 437-7531, ext. 8174. If you prefer to report an incident to someone not employed by the diocese, please call Bob Johnson, executive director of American Foundation of Counseling Services in Green Bay and a facilitator who can assist you in filing a report. Phone 437-8256."
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