Joint Statement from the Catholic Bishops of Iowa - Guest Essay on Health Care Coverage
Two Priests Temporarily Removed From Ministry
Deceased Lay Man Added to Abuser List
Reaction to U.S. Supreme Court Decision / Deferred Action for DREAMers
Bankruptcy Ends for the Diocese of Davenport
Iowa Catholic bishops send letter to congressional delegation on HHS mandate
Health and Human Services (HHS) Ruling
Spanish version (pdf)
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Date: May 6, 2013 -END
Date: April 22, 2013 From Bishop Amos: The Diocese of Davenport has received a report which states that Father Robert Harness, Pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Davenport, inappropriately touched a minor in approximately 1990. The Diocese has reported this to the Scott County Attorney in compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Diocese and the County Attorney. Father Harness has been temporarily removed from ministry while this matter is being thoroughly investigated. The Diocese will meet with the leadership of the parish to assess its immediate needs and other issues of healing that may arise. In an unrelated report, the Diocese of Davenport has received a report which states that Father John Stack, Chaplain at Mercy Medical Clinton in Clinton, inappropriately touched minors in approximately the 1980s. The Diocese has reported this to the Scott County Attorney in compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Diocese and the County Attorney. Father Stack has been temporarily removed from ministry while this matter is being thoroughly investigated. The list of assignments for both priests is attached. We apologize, again, for all those who have been abused and continue to pray for them. To report child sexual abuse Fr. Harness 06/25/1982 - 07/31/1982 Clinton: St. Mary - Assistant Fr. Stack 06/01/1988 - 07/02/1990 Davenport: Holy Family - Parochial Vicar -END-
Date: July 6,
2012
The Diocese of Davenport Review Board recommended today
the addition of one deceased lay man to the list of credible
allegations of abuse posted on the Diocesan website,
www.davenportdiocese.org. The case of abuse was
reported during the bankruptcy process.
The Review Board recommended to Bishop Amos that a
report of abuse of a male minor by lay man Walter Phipps was
credible. Phipps was a
football coach at Our Lady of Lourdes school in Bettendorf
between 1973 and 1975. Phipps
was arrested in 1987 in an unrelated case and was convicted of
sexual abuse in the third degree.
He was sentenced to ten years in prison.
Phipps died on May 16,
2010.
With regard to a second report of abuse perpetrated by
a lay man, the Review Board recommended that additional
investigation be performed by James Sweeney before a credibility
decision is made.
Date: June 21, 2011 The Diocese of Davenport joins with the U.S. bishops in greeting with hope and caution the June 25 Supreme Court decision to strike down provisions of an Arizona immigration law that would have allowed warrantless arrests of people suspected of an offense that is deportable, that would have made it a crime to seek work in the state and that would have made undocumented presence a state crime. The bishops found hope in the decision in Arizona vs. United States and said it reflects the bishops’ call for humane and just immigration laws and concern for laws that could tear families apart. Their caution lay in the lifting of an injunction against immigrants having to show papers in some circumstances. This is not the dream act. It is merely a presidential decision to defer action on the efforts to deport these youths. It does not lead to citizenship or even legal permanent residence. It will not provide access to any federal benefits such as Medicaid or food stamps. Its intent is to provide justice to children brought here without documentation and without a say in the process. It may allow youth who qualify to work, to go to college, to enlist in the military, without constantly looking over their shoulders, fearing deportation for a period of two years. It may be renewable. It may allow those who qualify for participation the opportunity to obtain a driver’s license. It does not provide any protection or benefits for the parents of the youth, nor for any other relatives of the youth. It is provided on a case by case basis upon application, it does not automatically apply to all youth meeting the general requirements. As an executive order of the president, it can modify the procedures of the administrative branch of the government to direct the deferring deportation actions, but it is not law, and does not change the federal immigration laws or any state law unless the state voluntarily agrees to make the changes. This means that no driver’s license will be issued in a state that has laws requiring essentially legal permanent residence or citizenship to obtain one, unless the state acts to allow it. Similarly, decisions about eligibility for in-state tuition, grants and loans for students are state decisions not affected by the order. In fact, as this is an executive order of the president, not a law, a new president could rescind the order. It will be at least 60 days, possibly longer, until the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies involved will publish rules, forms, and implementing instructions so that attorneys and agencies such as the Diocese of Davenport Immigration office can begin processing cases. There are no instructions or forms presently. These cases will be under great scrutiny to prevent fraud. Fraud in the application process will lead to deportation. We do not know what evidences of entry, time in the country, freedom from criminal record and age that the Department of Homeland Security will require. Applicants will need to document economic necessity in order to obtain a work permit. The following is a summary of the eligibility requirements and a list of the types of documentation we expect will be required or will be helpful in the application process. Eligibility
Requirements ü Entered the U.S. before age 16 and before June 15, 2012 ü Currently aged 15-30 ü Continuously residing in the U.S. for five years and present on June 15, 2012 ü Currently in school, have graduated from high school, obtained a GED, or been honorably discharged from the Coast Guard or U.S. Armed Forces · A felony · A significant misdemeanor · Three or more minor misdemeanors ü Not pose a threat to national security or public safety
Proof of Eligibility (Documentation
Requirements) o All applicants must submit biometrics (finger prints) and undergo a background check o Proof of entry before age 16, age, five years of continuous residency, and physical presence on June 15, 20012. Documents that may assist: o Bank records, tax records, paid bills with addresses o Medical records o School Records o Employment Records o Military records o Church records o Proof of current school enrollment or completion o School enrollment records (report cards, registration records) o Diploma o GED certificates o School Transcripts -END- Date: June 21, 2011
RE:
Bankruptcy Ends for the Diocese of Davenport
The Diocese of Davenport bankruptcy case has been
closed by the Honorable Lee M. Jackwig, Chief Judge of the
United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Iowa.
Judge Jackwig found that the Diocese has met the
requirements of the bankruptcy plan that was
ordered on June 26, 2008, including full compliance with the
Non-Monetary Undertakings.
Most Rev. Martin Amos, Bishop of Davenport, said, “The
bankruptcy process provided the best opportunity for healing and
for the just and fair compensation of those who have suffered
sexual abuse by priests in our Diocese.
The settlement also provided the best way to continue the
Church’s mission in the Diocese of Davenport.
While the bankruptcy process has closed, it will not end
the suffering by some survivors of abuse.
I pray that the healing process for the survivors of
abuse will continue.”
The Diocese negotiated a $37 million settlement with
the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors on November 28,
2007. Of the $37
million settlement, $19.5 million was committed from Travelers
Insurance Company and $17.5 million from the Diocese of
Davenport.
The Diocese will continue to promote safe environments for children
by mandating ongoing training in recognizing and eliminating
threats to children, complying with the Charter and Norms of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and mandating
background checks for all clergy and for employees and
volunteers who work with children.
Alicia Owens, the victim assistance coordinator for the
Diocese, will continue to provide assistance to survivors of
abuse. To report child sexual
abuse
DATE:
February 14, 2012 In response to a recent federal
Health and Human Services Department mandate, the Catholic
bishops of Iowa today sent a letter to members of Iowa’s
congressional delegation urging co-sponsorship of the Respect
for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). The HHS mandate will require
almost all religious organizations to pay for sterilization and
contraceptive coverage (including drugs which can cause
abortions) in their health insurance plans for employees. The
exemption provided for religious employers is so narrow it fails
to cover the vast majority of faith-based organizations that
help millions every year. The President announced some
changes on Feb. 10 in how that mandate will be administered,
although the details are unclear. On the evening of Feb. 10, HHS
issued a regulation finalizing the rule first issued in August
2011, without making any changes. The bishops said in their letter,
“the mandate will apparently continue to impose an extremely
narrow definition of religious institution under which the
ministry of Jesus Christ himself would not qualify … In
addition, the mandate continues to threaten government coercion
of religious people and groups to violate their most deeply held
convictions. At a minimum, any regulation should fully respect
religious freedom and freedom of conscience as enshrined in our
Constitution and, in particular, the First Amendment of the Bill
of Rights.” In addition, all four diocesan
bishops have sent letters opposing the mandate for distribution
in the Catholic parishes of the state. Catholics and others of
good will are encouraged to send a message to Congress at
www.usccb.org/conscience. The diocesan bishops of Iowa are
Dubuque Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB; Bishop R. Walker Nickless
of Sioux City; Bishop Martin Amos of Davenport, and Bishop
Richard Pates of Des Moines. For an update from the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ media blog, go to
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2012/02/six-more-things-everyone-should-know.html. |
DATE: January 26, 2012
RE: Health and Human Services (HHS) Ruling
January 26, 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Most Rev. Martin Amos
Bishop of Davenport
DATE: September 4, 2011
RE:
Statement regarding Buchanan Abbey, Independence, Iowa
Statement
regarding Buchanan Abbey, Independence, Iowa
Several inquiries have been made to the officials of the Archdiocese of
Dubuque concerning the institution, Buchanan Abbey,¯ which is located
near Independence, IA. The inquiries arose because of communications in
various media announcing that Mass and other religious services are
being held at that institution and are open to the public.
Rev. Msgr. Thomas E. Toale, Ph.D.
Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Dubuque
DATE: May 18, 2011
RE: John Jay College Report
Today, the John Jay College
of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
released the long anticipated report regarding
The Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests in
the United States, 1950-2010.ā€¯
It is the second of two studies about sexual abuse by Catholic priests.
The first study focused on the description and extent of the
problem from 1950 to 2002 and was published in February, 2004.
The extensive report concluded that there was no single cause or predictor of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. According to the report, Social and cultural changes in the 1960s and 1970s manifested in increased levels of deviant behavior in the general society and also among priests of the Catholic Church in the United States. Organizational, psychological, and situational factors contributed to the vulnerability of individual priests in this period of normative change.
The study provides vital information on this devastating issue that has
affected so many lives throughout society.
With this knowledge the Church will continue to expand
educational programs, policies and procedures to extend a safe
environment to all children and vulnerable adults.
In the Diocese of Davenport, all employees and those volunteers who work
on a regular basis with children
are mandated to receive safe environment training through the Virtus Protecting
God's Children¯ Program.
Over 7,465 people have been trained since the program began in
2003. In 2010, the Diocese
of Davenport was audited by the Gavin Group, of Boston, MA, and found to
be in compliance with the Charter.
The Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator continues to provide
outreach to survivors.
Bishop Amos supports the
complete elimination of all criminal statutes of limitation for child
sexual abuse committed by clergy or others in similar positions of
authority
While the majority
of cases occurred decades ago, the Church and society at large must
remain vigilant in keeping our children safe and to provide assistance
to survivors of abuse.
To report child sexual abuse
Contact the Iowa Department of Human Services
Child Abuse Hotline: 800-362-2178
If the abuse involves clergy or church personnel, also notify
Alicia Owens, Victim Assistance Coordinator: 563-349-5002
PO Box 232 Bettendorf, IA
52722-0004
Abuse Survivor's Support Group
The Diocese of Davenport is offering a support group for adult survivors
of sex abuse as children. If
you are interested in learning more about the support group, contact
Alicia Owens, Victim Assistance Coordinator:
563-349-5002.
Protecting God's Children
Sessions
are open to all adults in the Diocese of Davenport and are mandated for
all employees and those volunteers who work on a regular basis with
children.
To pre-register for a session, go to
www.virtus.org
and click on registration.¯
Chancery Address: 780 West Central Park Ave., Davenport, Iowa 52804-1901
Phone: 563-324-1911 Email: communication@davenportdiocese.org
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