When an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor is
received, lay people are involved in each step of the process, including
reporting the allegation to law enforcement, conducting the diocesan
investigation and reaching out with assistance to the individual making the
allegation.
In addition, based on the national charter approved
in 2002, all dioceses are to have a review board that functions as a
confidential consultative body to the Bishop. This board assesses allegations
of sexual abuse of minors by clergy and review diocesan policies and procedures
for dealing with sexual abuse of minors.
When a diocesan investigation is complete, all
evidence is considered by the Diocesan Review Board, which is made up of mostly
lay men and women with professional expertise in fields such as medicine,
psychology, counseling, canon and civil law, etc. The Review Board determines
whether the allegation is credible and advises the Bishop regarding the accused
cleric’s suitability for ministry. No cleric with a credible allegation of
sexual abuse against a minor will return to ministry.
The determination of the Review Board is
independent of that of law enforcement. The Review Board may find an allegation
to be credible even if law enforcement determines that the evidence is not
sufficient for a criminal prosecution.
Review Board
Members as of October 2019
- Mr. Art Behrmann, M.D. Private Practice of Psychiatry
- Dr. Lianna Bennett, Psy.D.
- Mr. Robert Chirles, M.S., Retired Director of the Loudoun County Department of Family Services
- Reverend Robert C. Cilinski, Episcopal Vicar for Charitable Works at the Chancery, Pastor, Church of the Nativity, Burke
- Mr. John C. Harley, Jr., Retired FBI Deputy Assistant Director
- Susan L. Malone, retired Program Director, Intelligence Liaison, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, DoD Inspector General; Colonel, USMC retired; retired Office of the Prosecutor, United Nations War Crimes Tribunal, The Hague Netherlands
- Sr. Paula Jean Miller, F.S.E.
- Mr. Ronald S. Riggins, RP Financial; President/Managing Director
- Rev. Lee R. Roos, Promoter of Justice; Pastor, All Saints Parish, Manassas
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