Ana Maria Catanzaro, the chair of the Philadelphia Archdiocese Sexual Abuse Review Board, wrote a candid article in Commonweal Magazine, a Catholic magazine, called “The Fog of Scandal” shedding some new light on what she sees are some fundamental problems especially in light of the February 2011 Philadelphia District Attorney’s Grand Jury report.
She wrote: “…none of us was prepared for the news that broke this past February, when a second grand-jury report resulted in the indictment of four priests and claimed that it had found “substantial evidence” another thirty-seven, all still in active ministry, had abused.”
Citing “clericalism” as the culprit that prevents the Philadelphia bishops from “getting it” she calls for changes in the Review Board process:
1. When the church receives an allegation of abuse that has the semblance of trust, the accused should immediately be placed on administrative leave.
2. Church officials should refer all allegations to review boards even if they involve inappropriate behaviors with minors that may not involve sexual abuse.
3. The work of the review board should not be considered a canonical process. Review boards need clearer standards to determine what counts as sexual abuse.
4. The “safety plans” are problematic.
5. Religious orders should also report the results of any investigations and the status of the accused priest to the local bishop.
6. Dioceses should publish an annual report that includes the number of allegations received, how many were referred to the review board, the names of the clerics ,the standards used to review allegations, the whereabouts of priests permanently removed from ministry and any changes in the process of reviewing allegations.
This call for open accountability is perhaps a step in the right direction. We can only wait and see whether the hierarchy of the Philadelphia Archdiocese manages to get the message.