.- Bishop
Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln is asserting his episcopal authority and
defending his prerogative to not participate in the U.S. bishops’
national audit of compliance with the Charter for the Protection of
Children and Young People, reported Lincoln Journal Star.
The Diocese of
Lincoln and the Melkite Eparchy of Newton, Mass., were the only
Catholic jurisdictions in the U.S. that did not participate in the
annual audit of compliance with guidelines on sex-abuse programs.
Lincoln participated in the first audit, in 2003, but has declined to
participate in subsequent audits.
In a March 30
statement, the bishop noted that the U.S. bishops’ charter on sex abuse
is “only an advisory document” and participation is optional.
“The Diocese of
Lincoln participated fully in the initial audit conducted by the USCCB
and has exercised its right to refrain from further participation in an
audit,” he said.
However, the
chairwoman of the National Review Board appointed by the bishops,
Patricia O’Donnell Ewers, called for “strong fraternal correction” of
the two bishops for their refusal to participate.
In his response,
Bishop Bruskewitz maintained that his diocese has always been in full
compliance with the law and pointed out that the review board has no
authority over bishops.
The Diocese of
Lincoln does not recognize Ewers and her board “as having any
significance,” said the bishop, citing the fact that some of the
members of Ewers’ board “are ardent advocates of partial birth
abortion, other abortions, human cloning and other moral errors.” The
bishop named current board member Dr. Paul McHugh and former board
member Leon Panetta.
The bishop’s
supporters have indicated the diocese’s clean record on child abuse
compared with other dioceses and praised the bishop for upholding
Church teachings.
The diocese has
a policy in place to protect children and to respond to any allegations
of abuse. Background checks are done for all people who are employed by
the diocese or by institutions, parishes or agencies which have any
connection with the diocese. All people, including children and youth,
are regularly instructed to report any incidents of abuse immediately.
Any credible allegations are presented to the diocese’s own lay review
board and then acted upon in accordance with canon law.
Bishop
Bruskewitz has also questioned the existence of the National Review
Board. “My personal experience with the Charter and the audit process
has led me to conclude that it is fundamentally a costly and expensive
undertaking that brings forward little result, at least as far as the
Diocese of Lincoln is concerned,” he reportedly said.
He reiterated
that the Lincoln diocese is in full compliance with all civil and
Church laws and has implemented all norms issued by the Vatican for
prevention of abuse.
“The Diocese of
Lincoln certainly is concerned with the protection of children and has
taken what it believes to be appropriate steps in this area,” the
bishop said.
Bishop defends right to refuse participation in national audit
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