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U.S. Bishops' John Jay Study on the Nature and Scope of Clergy Sexual Abuse of Minors, 1950-2002
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the John Jay Study?
In 2002, the U.S. Catholic bishops called for an unprecedented national study (to be released Feb. 27) on the nature and scope of child sexual abuse by clergy between 1950 and 2002. The report will include the number of incidents, offenders and victims of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Diocese of Arlington participated in this national study and presented its statistics in A Report on the History of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Clergy in the Diocese of Arlington in the February 19th Arlington Catholic Herald. In his Feb. 18th letter to Catholics of the diocese, Bishop Loverde wrote, "I am hopeful that with this account of our past [both the local Arlington "Report" and the national study], together with a rigorous framework to heighten the safety of children under our care, we will emerge more deeply and steadfastly committed to the call to holiness."

2. Who commissioned the study and who is conducting the study?
The National Review Board is responsible for commissioning the study. The study is being conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York.

3. Why is the percentage of priests higher than the 2 percent or less often suggested by church leaders?
Until the bishops undertook this effort, no systematic study had been done using dioceses' own records on a nationwide basis. The results were likely to be higher than previous estimates based on the partial information available.

4. John Jay College relied on information provided to them by the bishops. Why would the bishops be forthcoming with John Jay College? Why shouldn't we believe that this isn't just the tip of the iceberg as the victims' groups are saying?
The nearly unanimous participation by dioceses and the reporting of numbers beyond what was expected is clear evidence that the bishops wanted as thorough and accurate a review of their records as possible. It is a sad moment, but this is never going to happen again. This study marks a new beginning.

The bishops acted together to have this study done, and they remain united in their commitment to ensure that:
· Candidates for Holy Orders are worthy, mature men;
· Our dioceses and parishes are safe environments for young people;
· Acts of child sexual abuse are never overlooked and ignored when they are reported.

5. Doesn't the fact that there were more abusers than previously thought imply that the Church was covering up many of these cases?
Clearly it demonstrates that during the past 50 years, child sexual abuse was dealt with in many ways that were ineffective in both Church and society until relatively recently. The situation today is that

• Laws protecting children are stronger;
• Public authorities investigate these accusations more effectively;
• Parents are more alert to the importance of reporting abuse.
• Above all, people now come forward and report being abused instead of suffering in silence as so many did in the past.

The bishops have learned much about the insidious nature of abuse and it reinforces the need for the comprehensive, transparent reporting and prevention policies made mandatory by them in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and Essential Norms.

6. But didn't the Church keep a lot of these cases quiet by paying hush money to families?
Like many other organizations and individuals, dioceses reached settlements with victims. As often happens when intimate matters are involved or matters about which the parties cannot agree on liability, the settlements were accompanied by non-disclosure agreements covering all parties. Even though this is common in civil litigation, it has been criticized as a "cover-up" when the Church asks for such agreements. It had the unintended effect, under certain circumstances, of enabling abusers to abuse again. Under the 2002 Charter and the Diocese of Arlington's policy, confidentiality agreements are not to be part of any settlement, unless requested by the victim.

7. Isn't it clear that there must be a problem in the priesthood that encourages abuse of minors?
Tragically child abusers can be found in all states of life, including within families. The priesthood doesn't make a man an abuser, nor do other vocations or professions. What makes it particularly appalling in this case is that offenders not only abused their position of trust, but destroyed children's innocence and often their ability to have any trust in the Church. The Church has committed itself to comprehensive prevention programs in dioceses, parishes, and seminary training to prevent such behavior in the future.

8. But doesn't celibacy create unhealthy sexual repression that can drive a person to act out in unacceptable ways?
No. If that were true, then what is the explanation for the vast majority of abusers who do not live, or even try to live, a celibate life? In fact, a significant percentage of abusers turn out to have been married people abusing family members. Literally tens of thousands of priests here and around the world have committed their lives to Christ and to the people they serve. Celibacy is a gift and one to be cherished, since priestly celibacy has been an inspiration to millions of Catholics. It requires prayer and a supportive environment. Perhaps 50 years ago, the environment was more supportive of the celibate commitment as it seems to have been more supportive of marriage. But even a less friendly environment does not take away celibacy's value. We need to nurture this gift more intensively and consciously now that it is no longer as supported by the general culture as it once was.

9. We know that not all of the priests whose offenses are catalogued in this report are dead and that the whereabouts of some of these priests are not known to the dioceses. Will the bishops make attempts to locate and monitor these priests, to make their presence known to people living in the communities where they now reside, or will they just be dumped on the wider society?
In virtue of the Charter and Norms, if a priest who has been removed from ministry and not dismissed from the clerical state or "laicized' goes elsewhere to reside, the bishop of that place is to be notified of "any and all information concerning any act of sexual abuse of a minor and any other information indicating that he has been or may be a danger to children or young people" and that he is no longer permitted to minister. The protection the Church can give is that no priest who is a confirmed or admitted abuser will be permitted in ministry.

10. Given the estimate of the costs, doesn't this severely erode the confidence of the Catholic people in the use to which the Church will put the money that they contribute?
The bishops sincerely hope that is not the case. Ninety percent of the money parishioners put into their collection baskets in church stays with their parish for its own work of service. Most of the money provided to victims has come from insurance, sale of property and designated funds for the care of priests. Also, the costs that covered treatment for victims and perpetrators were contributions to healing and prevention. In the Diocese of Arlington, funds for victim settlements and counseling came from insurance and general operating revenues of the diocese. The annual diocesan fundraising appeal (the Bishop's Lenten Appeal) and the capital campaign (Rooted in Faith - Forward in Hope) funds are received as restricted gifts and used only for the areas stated in campaign materials. The bishops are committed to greater transparency on fiscal matters to restore trust in this very matter.

11. Didn't the bishops use therapy and therapists to protect priests?
Bishops had available to them in the 1990s, state-of-the-art, in-patient evaluation and treatment systems. They were advised by top experts -- Catholic and non-Catholic, clergy and lay -- in the field of treating persons with these sexual maladies. Getting proper treatment for offenders which could help them not offend again contributed both to their possible rehabilitation and to the safety of the general public. Helping those who committed crimes to become once again responsible members of society is a ministry that the Church has long practiced.

12. If this method of dealing with abuse was so successful, why did the bishops abandon it in Dallas?
Not every bishop thought reassignment was a good idea. Also, the bishops had to take into account that ministry is ministry for people. If a priest cannot minister to a group as important as young people because of concerns about his behavior, that is a significant limitation on his ministry and may involve chances that ought not to be taken.

13. Why isn't this report broken down by diocese like the audit report? What are the bishops covering up?
In the Charter, the bishops asked the National Review Board to commission a study on the "nature and scope" of this problem. The Board selected John Jay College which designed the research project. It was always intended to provide the "national picture" about this misconduct over a significant period of time. In this case it goes back to 1950. Its purpose is to help bishops "understand the problem more fully and enhance the effectiveness" of our response into the future. Many dioceses - including the Diocese of Arlington - have gone beyond the Charter by putting out their own reports to the people of their dioceses.

14. Can the bishops say with absolute assurance that no priest whose crimes are reported in this study is currently serving in the priesthood in the United States?
As far as it is humanly possible to know such things, the bishops can assure the Catholic people that offenders are not in ministry. They can say with assurance that they now have in place the means of responding immediately to allegations, assisting victims, and removing offenders from ministry.

15. What will be the reaction of the priests to the reports?
The vast, vast majority of priests are faithful and upright men whose lives of devoted service are very much valued and appreciated. They will undoubtedly be saddened at the history they read in these reports. But the reports are essential to letting the Catholic people know that this chapter in our history is over and that dioceses now have in place a comprehensive response to the sexual abuse of minors by clergy that includes:

• preventing future abuse,
• making our church institutions the safest of environments for children and young people;
• reaching out to victims;
• keeping from ministry anyone who would harm young people;
• careful screening of candidates for Holy Orders and all employees and volunteers who may have contact with youth.