Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a scandal?
 
In general, it is an event that causes surprise or disgust. In a moral sense, a scandal is an event that may cause someone to believe that a certain behavior is okay.  In this sense, movies about violence or sexual promiscuity may “scandalize” a person.
 
2. What is the Church’s response to the scandals?
 
Following the sexual abuse scandal in 2002, The  Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (also known as the Dallas Charter) was created and approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Dallas in 2002 and then approved by the Holy See. It is accompanied by The Essential Norms for procedures to deal with allegations of the abuse of minors by a deacon or a priest. The Charter was revised in 2005, 2011, and 2018. 
 
In addition to the Charter, the Church is and has been doing a great deal for many years to combat child sexual abuse.Pope Francis, the first year following his election to the papacy, created an international commission at the Vatican to study, discuss and address issues related to child sexual abuse. Cardinal Sean O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston serves on the Commission.
 
Also, the USCCB has a standing committee called the Bishops' Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People (CPCYP) and it has been in place since 2002. Our own Bishop Timothy L. Doherty currently chairs this committee through the year 2020.
 
Each year, every diocese in the U.S. Church issues a comprehensive report to an outside compliance reviewer concerning all alleged cases of child sexual abuse. Currently, StoneBridge Business Partners conducts the compliance reviews. Dioceses must also report all training undergone by clergy and any adult that works with minors in Church ministry. The diocese has implemented a policy requiring periodic background checks for our priests, seminarians, religious and lay employees, and volunteers who have contact with children. Each group also participates in safe environment training every three years.
 
3. How do we know if the Diocese successfully passes its annual compliance review?
 
A copy of the letter from the compliance review organization is printed in The Catholic Moment.
 
4. Has the Church apologized for the sexual abuse scandals?

Yes.  The Church and its leaders have made public apologies.  Pope Francis, and the prior two popes, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, have all made formal, public apologies on multiple occasions and continue to do so.  For example, Pope Francis did this when he visited the US in 2015 as part of the synod on families and met with abuse survivors as part of his visit. One of his most recent apologies can be found here.   All of the U.S. Bishops have also made formal, public apologies on multiple occasions and continue to do so. Bishop Timothy L. Doherty has issued public apologies in The Catholic Moment on multiple occasions. ( Here and here.)   The Bishops have also directed the pastors of parishes to do the same.

5. What has the Church done to keep our children safe?
 
Protocols and training for protecting minors were codified in 2003 in the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana.  The Catholic Moment and the Diocesan website contain information on how to make reports to civil authorities for any suspected abuse. There has been a Diocesan review board in place since 1994 for internal review of cases.  Annual, public reports have been made since 2002 as part of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (defined above).  The Diocesan code of conduct is located here.
 
When a cleric is credibly accused of abuse of a minor it is the Diocese’s practice to remove him from active ministry pending the conclusion of an investigation.  If the allegation is deemed credible and substantiated, the cleric is permanently removed from ministry. 
 
6. Are the sacraments valid when performed by a cleric who is involved in the scandal?
 
Yes. The Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 1584 states:Since it is ultimately Christ who acts and effects salvation through the ordained minister, the unworthiness of the latter does not prevent Christ from acting.(citation from the Council of Trent DS 1612; DS 1154.) 

7. Why should we still trust the teaching authority of the Bishops (or the Pope, the Bishop of Rome) given such scandal?
 
Because Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, who founded the Catholic Church, promised us that, the gates of hell shall never prevail against His Bride, the Church.Jesus promised to always protect and guide the Church under the power and grace of the Holy Spirit.This includes the leaders, the bishops of the Church, despite their humanity and sinful behavior. This scandal does not negate the promises of Jesus, who knew these things would happen because we are sinful human beings, including our leaders.This is why He sends the Holy Spirit, the 3rd Person of the Most Blessed Trinity, to always help us, guide us and protect us from any error in the teaching of faith and morals.God always keeps His promises and despite the human sinfulness of its leaders, His Truth shall prevail.(See John 16:12-15; Matthew 16:13-19)
 
8. Should I remain in the Church and in the Catholic faith?
 
Christ called his followers to unity and He founded only one true Church. The Church is made up of human beings, all of whom are prone to sin, including its clergy and leaders.This does not make committing sin right, nor is sinful behavior justifiable, especially among those who should be role models.However, sin is real, and all of us are sinners in need of the Savior. Abandoning the Church or the faith is never the answer.Remaining steadfast in faith, combatting sin when we encounter it, including our own, fighting for reform and renewal within the Church is what we are called to do in our baptism.We are not the first generation of Catholics nor the last to encounter sin and scandal within the Church. Many of our greatest saints (e.g., St. Francis of Assisi, St. Catherine of Siena) became renowned in the Church for helping her to overcome scandal and bring about substantial reform in the Church. We are called to do the same.
 
9. What can I do about the scandal?
 
Remain steadfast in faith, morals, the sacraments, and prayer.  You are invited to join the Pope, the Bishops, the clergy, all workers in the Church and many other Catholics in daily prayer for the healing and renewal for abuse victims and ongoing reform in the Church.  If you are working with minors or vulnerable adults, make sure that you have completed your criminal background check and have been properly trained. 
 
Always be sure to report cases of abuse that you witness or suspect immediately to the proper civil authorities.  Stay well informed, not merely through secular media outlets, but through Church outlets such as the USCCB website, Diocesan website, and the Catholic Moment, which can provide additional, more comprehensive information to help you understand the issues with more depth.  

10. How do I report abuse?
 
Indiana law requires that any individual who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect must report immediately to:

• The local Child Protection Services agency (Hotline: 800-800-5556); or
• A local law enforcement agency.

Under Indiana law, it is a criminal act not to make such a report.  This law applies to  all adults without exception. 

To make a report of an allegation of recent abuse of a minor, or even to report a previously unreported allegation of abuse from years ago, please use these contact numbers:

• Child Protective Services, 800-800-5556;
• The Office of Victim Assistance Ministry, 765- 464-4988;
• The Conduct in Ministry Officer, 765-463-2242.

 
Diocesan policies and practices for safe environment work can be found online at  https://dol-in.org/safe-environment-1
 
11. Are there Masses or prayer services in the diocese to express reparation and ask for healing? Will parishioners and victims of abuse be welcome?

There are several responses to these questions. First, yes, these will be recurring. Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent will continue to be a day of Prayer and Penance for individuals and for parishes that are willing and able to organize their own events.
 
Second, it is not necessary for anyone to identify himself or herself as either parishioner or victim when coming to a public parish prayer-event. Where it can be done, it should be done with great care and consent.
 
Third, it is unfortunate if we think that the Penitential Rite at each Mass is somehow disconnected from, or inadequate for, the ongoing healing of victim/survivors and reparation by the whole Church.  It provides a moment for us to call to mind things that added to Jesus’s suffering on the Cross.