Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the Nov. 10, 2005 edition of the Inland Register)

The Review Board is established as a confidential consultative body to the Catholic Bishop of Spokane and his Secretariat. The mission of the Review Board is to oversee the implementation of policies and procedures for prevention of and response to sexual misconduct and other inappropriate behavior by church personnel. Its responsibilities include assuring immediate assistance to victims, timely cooperation with civil authorities, and the just treatment of accused persons. The Board advises the Bishop in his assessment of allegations of sexual abuse of minors and in his determination of suitability for ministry (Charter, #2).

Specific responsibilities of the Board include:

a. to develop and oversee the implementation of policies and procedures for prevention of and response to sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults and other inappropriate behavior by church personnel, and to recommend modifications to the policies and procedures when appropriate;
b. to review concerns submitted to the Board by the Bishop and, after due consideration, to make recommendations to him regarding those matters.
c. to maintain confidentiality concerning the Board’s deliberations and recommendations. d. to be notified of all cases of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults, and of inappropriate behavior by church personnel in the context of their employment or ministerial responsibilities.

Members
Sister Dorothy Byrne SP: Retired educator, pastoral minister
Susan Foster-Dow: Associate Dean, Gonzaga University office of Academic Services
Marcia Gallucci: Sexual Abuse Advocate
Susan Levernier: Former social worker; full-time mother
Ron Miller
Paul Wert: Psychologist with expertise in treating sexual abuse
Richard J. Schroeder: Retired Judge

Staff to the Board
Father Steve Dublinski: Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia
Mary Butler: Special Assistant to the Vicar General/Victims Assistance Coordinator
Michael Geraghty: Counsel