Saint Cloud Bishop John F. Kinney: The Financial Costs of Abuse July 17, 2003 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: A year ago, I was privileged to hold a series of listening sessions in our diocese to hear your concerns, pain and frustrations over the terrible reality of clergy sexual abuse in our church. It was very difficult to hear how innocent young lives have been damaged by such despicable acts. At that time, and on many occasions since, I have assured you very deliberately that I will in no way tolerate sexual misconduct of minors. I have promised you that our first priority is the protection of children, the young and the vulnerable, and the care of survivors of abuse. I have joined with Pope John Paul II and the Catholic bishops of our country in a solemn commitment that, as far as is humanly possible, the priesthood will be free of sexual misconduct of minors. I continue to urge any victims to come forward to the diocese. As promised, I have now completed a comprehensive review of each and every clergy personnel file, past and present, living and deceased, in the Diocese of St. Cloud. In addition, a new policy on sexual misconduct was released on July 1, 2003, and is published in this issue of the St. Cloud Visitor. For some time now, many have raised questions and concerns about the financial costs associated with cases of clergy sexual misconduct in the diocese. I have just completed a thorough review of diocesan records in order to provide an accurate accounting of clergy sexual abuse of minors cases, how much they have cost and where the monies have come from. In reviewing the records from 1982 through 2003, there have been 294 priests who have served in our parishes. In that time framework, there have been allegations of sexual abuse of 49 minors involving a total of 26 priests. These figures include 19 diocesan priests incardinated in the Diocese of St. Cloud and seven priests who were members of religious orders. The instances related to these allegations extend as far back as 1950. The following summary sets forth the financial costs paid in association with all those incidents involving the abuse of minors: • The Diocese of St. Cloud has paid $109,500 in settlements to victims. • The amount paid by the diocese for therapy and counseling for victims who were minors was $69,886.68. • Additional payments were made to some victims who were minors through the insurers of the diocese. These payments included amounts paid for all claims of diocesan priests as well as priests belonging to religious orders. • The diocese paid $69,459.36 for attorneys' fees and expenses in these cases. • The insurance premiums the diocese has paid for sexual misconduct coverage from 1995 through 2003 totals $235,693. The amounts specified above have come exclusively from the proceeds of diocesan investments and rental income. None of these monies have come from the Annual Diocesan Appeal (formerly Opus Dei), the Living the Promise Campaign, the Time to Remember Campaign or from parish assessments. All of us are to be committed to lives of holiness and prayer. I ask us to continue to pray for our church and all its members, especially for those harmed by sexual misconduct. Pray also for us who are clergy that we may live our vocations with faithfulness and integrity. I keep each of you in my prayers and ask that you do the same for me as I strive to serve you and the church faithfully. +John F. Kinney Bishop of Saint Cloud © 2003 Diocese of Saint Cloud. All rights reserved.