If the allegation is substantiated, the Board recommends to the Cardinal that the cleric be permanently removed from ministry. The results of that investigation are presented to a Lay Review Board, which decides whether the allegation is substantiated. When an allegation is made against a cleric in ministry, regardless of whether criminal charges are brought, the Archdiocese initiates an independent investigation of the allegation. The District Attorney for the appropriate county is promptly notified of the allegation. The Archdiocese follows strict protocols any time that it receives an allegation that a cleric has sexually abused a minor.A summary of my findings and recommendations is set forth below. I have recommended some enhancements to current practices. It has faithfully followed its policies and procedures and responded appropriately to abuse complaints and is committed to supporting victims-survivors of abuse. Overall, I have found that the Archdiocese has complied with the Charter in all material respects. The Cardinal asked for my honest, objective assessment, and I have reported my findings and recommendations to him on an ongoing basis. I have conducted dozens of interviews, performed an exhaustive review of documents, and assessed many different aspects of the Archdiocese’s practices. I have received the Archdiocese’s total cooperation, including complete access to all records. My review has focused on current practices and on the Archdiocese’s compliance with its obligations under the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002. Last September, Cardinal Dolan asked me to review the Archdiocese of New York’s policies and procedures for responding to allegations of sexual abuse and to make recommendations for improvements. Catholic News Agency September 17, 2019 Jones (ret.), Independent Reviewer and Special Counsel for the Archdiocese of New YorkĬardinal Timothy Dolan issued a statement Monday clarifying that he would never use social media to privately solicit donations after an online scam used his name to solicit funds. Summary of Findings and Recommendations of the Honorable Barbara S. “Almost all the complainants received over the last several years are not complaints of current conduct, but rather they are complaints about conduct which occurred sometimes decades ago,” Jones said. Her findings show a near stop to all abuse in the archdiocese since the early 2000s. That finding was revealed in a report by a former federal judge and prosecutor Barbara Jones, who was tasked by Cardinal Timothy Dolan with studying the archdiocese’s handling of sex-abuse complaints.Įvery priest in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York who has a substantial sex-abuse accusation against him has been removed from ministry, according to a report released today. Cardinal Timothy Dolan Complaints, Findings And Final Report It may have taken a year, but after what is being called a “thorough investigation,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan released an official report on the clergy sex abuse scandal in the New York Archdiocese on Monday.ĭolan said he was eagerly anticipating these results following an independent review of how the archdiocese handles sex abuse allegations.Ī retired federal judge and prosecutor Barbara Jones was leading this year-long effort and said she had total access to church files, as well as candid and direct conversations with the cardinal.
Following her review, Jones believes that there are no longer any active priests linked to abuse claims.A retired federal judge and prosecutor Barbara Jones was leading this year-long effort and said she had total access to church files.