Bishop Weigand appoints board to review cases of sexual abuse

By Julie Sly
Herald editor

Bishop William K. Weigand announced Sept. 26 the members of the diocese’s new Independent Review Board, people of diverse professional backgrounds and occupations who will review cases of church personnel accused of sexual misconduct with minors and recommend appropriate action.

Bishop William K. Weigand, center, introduces retired justice Robert K. Puglia, left, chair of the diocese’s Independent Review Board, as other board members look on at a press conference at the Diocesan Pastoral Center Sept. 26. Cathy Joyce/Herald photo

The board includes two former judges, a child psychiatrist, a physician, a law professor/family law attorney, a college professor and journalist/historian, a child welfare attorney, a former board chair of Catholic Charities, a registered nurse, a nun, a priest and a deacon. (See names of board members, page 3.)

“The members were selected specifically for their impeccable integrity and judgment,” Bishop Weigand said at a press conference at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Sacramento. “I will rely on the strength of these qualities as I consider their advice regarding the handling of a priest or other church worker who has been accused of sexual misconduct.”

Three of the board members are not Catholics. All of them (except for the priest and nun) have children, and many have worked as child advocates. Members, all of whom are volunteers and will serve staggered five-year terms, will meet monthly and as needed. Their first official meeting is scheduled for Oct. 8.

“We wanted to make sure we had a diverse board…a board that represented the members of our diocese,” said Bishop Weigand, noting that the diocese covers 20 counties and includes more than 500,000 Catholics. “I have the utmost confidence in the people here today.”

The 12-member panel – with another member expected to be added – will be chaired by retired justice Robert K. Puglia. Puglia, a Methodist, served for 24 years as presiding justice of the California’s Third District Court of Appeal.

Puglia said he agreed to chair the board because “you don’t have to be a Catholic to recognize the value to the community of the Catholic Church…Its importance to the health of the community.”

Board members “will not drag our feet, nor will we rush to judgment,” he said. “It’s to nobody’s advantage – the church’s or anybody else’s – to unduly delay matters.”

The board does not include victims or representatives from victims’ organizations. Bishop Weigand said the diocese was considering adding a victim of abuse to the board and that “the issue had been raised” at the board’s first organizational meeting.

He said some board members supported the idea, while others thought it would be “like having a victim on a jury in a sense.” He added, “I’m open either way, and the board will advise me on this.”

The bishop noted “board members will have huge authority because of their expertise…I have to make decisions as the bishop, and they will convey their recommendations to me. I can’t envision an instance at this moment where I would not feel compelled to follow their recommendations.”

According to a statement by the diocese released to the media, members of the board will be asked to review all accusations of sexual misconduct with minors made against clergy and other church personnel and advise the bishop concerning:

• The investigation and recommendations for administrative action proposed by diocesan legal and personnel authorities;

• The credibility of the complaint;

• The fitness for ministry of the accused person;

• Any additional steps they feel are necessary to reach a final conclusion in the case.

The statement said board members “will be given access to all reports and evidence in possession of the diocese. They will have the opportunity to interview all the parties involved. They can ask for additional information or investigation if they feel the record is incomplete.”

Puglia said the board was still working out procedures they would follow and “would have the authority to request further investigation if we feel that is warranted. We may also talk directly to a victim or victims if we feel that is necessary.”

Board member Donalee Hallenbeck, former chair of the board of Catholic Charities of Sacramento, told The Herald that board members have an obligation to guide the diocese in the right direction morally and legally.

“What we hope to accomplish is just a fair and honest judgment for both the accused and the persecuted who bring about the allegations,” she said. Hallenbeck, who has five adult children and 17 grandchildren, said she “has sensitivities on both sides” of abuse issues because she has worked with priests “on church sensitive issues,” and one of her granddaughters was assaulted as a pre-teen.

Another board member, Connie Koppes, a registered nurse, parish religious education teacher and the mother of five children ages 17 to 30, said she would also “have insight into both sides” of sexual abuse issues.

“I think I’m a fair person,” she said. “I’ve seen sexual abuse in a lot of different areas working with children…and had more close relationships with family members who are priests than the average person.”

She hopes the board “will restore some faith in the community in our clergy and achieve justice in the individual cases we will be presented.”

Establishment of the Independent Review Board is part of the diocese’s response to the U.S. bishops’ Charter the Protection of Children and Young People adopted in June. The charter mandated a diocesan review board in every diocese made up of mostly lay people who are not in the church’s employ, to investigate all allegations of sexual abuse of minors and assess fitness for ministry, and to periodically review diocesan policies and procedures for possible improvement.

The charter says that the board can act both retrospectively and prospectively on these matters and give advice on all aspects of responses required in connection with sexual abuse cases.

According to the statement by the diocese, while the Vatican has not yet approved the U.S. bishops’ policies, the diocese’s policy of “zero tolerance” and its Independent Review Board “have been created under Bishop Weigand’s existing authority and are not subject to Vatican review.”

Staff writer Nancy Westlund contributed to this story.

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