COMMUNICATIONS POLICY OF THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON
REGARDING ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE BY CLERGY

Implementation of Article Seven of the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

Article 7: Each diocese/eparchy will develop a communications policy that reflects a commitment to transparency and openness. Within the confines of respect for the privacy and the reputation of the individuals involved, dioceses/eparchies will deal as openly as possible with members of the community. This is especially so with regard to assisting and supporting parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors.  

1.      The Diocese of Scranton is committed to a policy of “transparency and openness,” whenever possible, with regard to allegations of sexual abuse of minors by a cleric. The Diocese of Scranton will be as open as possible with the media and the community, in a clear and timely manner, while respecting the privacy and reputation of the individuals involved. On a case-by-case basis, exceptions to this policy may include: matters under investigation by the Diocese; matters under review or investigation by law enforcement personnel; matters involved in litigation; unsubstantiated allegations; and information or situations about which a victim/survivor has requested that the Diocese maintain certain privacy.  

2.      The Executive Director of Communications serves as A). the primary Diocesan contact for media inquiries, interview requests and information regarding such allegations; and B). the principal spokesperson, unless directed otherwise, in response to such media inquiries, in consultation with the Bishop of Scranton, the Vicar for Administration and the Chancellor. All media inquiries are promptly and professionally acknowledged.  

3.      Upon request, the Executive Director of Communications responds to such media inquiries through Diocesan-approved written statements and interviews for the purpose of providing additional background information, where appropriate, and/or clarification. In a case where the clergy offender’s name becomes public due to the filing of criminal charges by law enforcement authorities, such background information includes acknowledgement of the cleric’s name, year of birth, date of ordination, pastoral assignments, and status of ministry.  

4.      All such statements are provided to the Diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Light, which is published every three weeks. In addition, The Catholic Light will publish the “Notice Regarding Reporting Sexual Abuse of a Person Under Eighteen Years of Age by Ordained or Lay Personnel of the Diocese of Scranton” several times per year, whether or not there has been an alleged incident of sexual abuse of a minor. The Notice is also provided to parishes for publication in their bulletins throughout the year.  

5.      All such statements are provided to the Diocesan clergy, who are advised that the local media will report on the situation.  

6.      At all weekend liturgies or another designated time/location, an official of the Diocese of Scranton personally informs the parish, school community or institution that is directly affected about the allegation and any subsequent action by the Diocese, and responds to questions/concerns.  

7.      The Diocese of Scranton provides a bulletin announcement to the parish community that is directly affected by the allegation. The bulletin announcement is also provided to other parishes, schools or institutions where the accused cleric had previously served. This announcement contains information regarding ways in which individuals may contact the Diocese or its Victim Assistance Coordinator to report any incident of alleged sexual abuse, whether recent or in the past.  

8.      The Executive Director of Communications works with the Diocesan Coordinator of the VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children program to disseminate information about how the Diocese is training thousands of individuals to recognize, report and prevent sexual abuse. Information about these efforts is carried in The Catholic Light, on CTV: Catholic Television, in the Chancery Newsletter, and on the Diocesan website.  

9.      The Diocesan website at www.dioceseofscranton.org contains information on the Diocese’s commitment to maintain a safe environment for children. The Departments and Resources link on the homepage leads to an index that includes a link to Sexual Abuse Reporting/Prevention. That page includes links to these documents: the United States Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Charter’s Essential Norms, the Diocese of Scranton’s Sexual Abuse Policy, the Diocese of Scranton’s Communications Policy to implement Article 7 of the Charter, instructions on how to report sexual abuse, information on the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator, the Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct for Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff and Volunteers, and the VIRTUS program. The index also includes a separate link to the VIRTUS page, which contains information on Diocesan VIRTUS training for adults and children as well as a link to the national VIRTUS website. Updates to these ongoing efforts are also posted on the homepage and the News and Information page.  

10.  This policy may be revised at the discretion of the Diocese of Scranton.
 

  November 7, 2005