Nebraska diocese explains decision not to join national study

Published: 2004-01-21

LINCOLN, Neb. (CNS) -- In a statement Jan. 16 the Lincoln Diocese explained why it did not participate in a nationwide survey last year on the nature and scope of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy over the past half-century. Lincoln was one of six dioceses and eparchies -- Eastern-rite dioceses -- named Jan. 6 as not having participated in the survey, conducted last year by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. Of 195 dioceses and eparchies in the country, 189 supplied the requested information. The statement of the Lincoln Diocese appeared in the Jan. 16 issue of the diocesan newspaper, the Southern Nebraska Register. The statement said the diocese is in full compliance with all civil and church laws concerning sexual abuse and the protection of children and youths, including the "Essential Norms," special laws adopted by the U.S. bishops and approved by the Holy See. It distinguished, however, between the norms and the bishops' "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People." Unlike the norms, the charter "does not have the force of church law," the statement noted. It said the national survey on allegations of clergy sexual misconduct with minors since 1950 was a matter of the charter, not the norms, and therefore not legally binding on dioceses.

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