Bishop Donald E. Pelotte, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gallup in New Mexico and Arizona offers the following comments on the two significant reports released on Friday, February 28, 2004 regarding the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy:

    Once again, the tragic issue of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy comes to the forefront.  It would be naive and even inappropriate for us to expect this issue to be quickly resolved or that it will simply go away.  As I mentioned in my letter of November 30, 2003, addressed to the Catholic people of our diocese, I am personally saddened by the harm done to the victims of this unfortunate and widespread scandal.  I am also deeply aware of the struggle this continues to be for the dedicated clergy who faithfully serve the Catholic community here in the Southwest.  I am grateful for the confidence expressed by so many for the way that this crisis has been handled in the Diocese of Gallup.  

    Additionally, to the people of the Catholic community throughout this diocese, I offer my sincere pledge to continue to do all I can to protect our children, restore your confidence and trust in the Church and safeguard the wholesomeness and dignity of the priesthood.  Our openness, diligence and commitment to accountability will sustain and further advance the healing of our Church.  The empowerment of the lay faithful has always been a hallmark of my ministry as your bishop.  I firmly believe that the comprehensive collaboration of the laity at every level of the Church's life will not only help to heal but indeed will strengthen the Church.  I support all efforts both nationally and locally that enhance the role of all the baptized - lay, clergy and religious alike - in the mission of the Church.

    As you know, the information specific to our diocese was made known in the same letter I sent to all our parishes and missions on November 30, 2003.  In that letter it was reported that from 1950 to 2002 credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors were made against eight priests out of a total of 494 clerics known to have ministered during that time. Also, a total of eleven known victims were reported as part of this survey.   Unfortunately, media outlets in both New Mexico and Arizona have erroneously reported the numbers.  This is further complicated by the presence of the Diocese of Gallup in both states.  Each state's news media reported eleven accused priests giving the impression that there were eleven in each state.  In fact, there was only 8 accused priests in the entire diocese from 1950 to 2002.  

 
    The full report from of the John Jay Study and the corresponding report from the National Review Board are available on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops web-site at www.usccb.org  Additionally, data and policies specific to the Diocese of Gallup can be found on the diocesan web-site at www.dioceseofgallup.org.  I encourage all to access and review this information.

    More victims have come forward with accusations since 2002.  These accusations have been reported to the Diocesan Juvenile Sexual Abuse Review Board and are being investigated.  The victims are being offered on-going outreach through our Victim's Assistance Coordinator.  All of these new allegations are from many years ago.  Attempts to determine the credibility of some of these allegations are hindered by the passage of time and the death of most of the alleged abusers.  

    As terrible as this history is, it cannot be changed or ignored.  As Bishop Wilton Gregory, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said in his opening remarks last Friday when the results of the John Jay Study were released, "We have nothing to fear from the truth - or from the past, if we learn from it."

    Some have offered criticism of the results of this effort.  Some claim that the data is not totally accurate and insufficient because it was the bishops who themselves provided the information from the files.    However, the Diocese of Gallup has been forthright in providing the information for both the John Jay Study and for the audit of our compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth. While this crisis has caused great harm, it has led to a genuine effort at self reform scarcely thought possible in times past for an organization such as ours.

    In closing, I earnestly invite victims to come forward and to challenge our Church to be the agent of reconciliation and healing that is so essential to the Church’s fundamental mission.  It is my hope that other organizations and institutions will join with us in the task of eliminating this horrible crime so prevalent throughout society.     

LETTER SENT TO ALL IN THE DIOCESE REGARDING SPECIFIC NUMBERS REPORTED

IN JOHN JAY STUDY  BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH

To the Priests, Deacons, Men and Women Religious, Lay Ministers and all the Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Gallup,

                        +November 30, 2003
                        First Sunday of Advent

My Dear Friends in Christ,

   Having recently returned from the Fall meeting of the United States Catholic Conference in Washington, D.C. I am once again very much aware of the pain and suffering the sexual abuse crisis has caused.  Each of us has been touched by this tragedy in his or her own way.  I am particularly mindful of the victims. I am truly grieved by the harm done to children by the actions of some priests and unfortunate decisions made by some bishops.

    As much as all of us would like to put this behind us, the healing process and the development of policies and procedures to prevent it in the future require more attention.  We have publicly committed ourselves not to return to “business as usual” but to make every effort to reform and move forward.   I, as your bishop, commit myself and my staff  to transparency and to the protection of all our children and youth.

    As you know, the Bishops of the United States approved the Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth and the associated Norms at their meeting in Dallas, Texas in June 2002.  The Charter and Norms were subsequently approved by the Holy See for the 194 dioceses of the United States effective July 1, 2003.  One of the requirements of the Charter was to conduct a study of the sexual abuse crisis over the last fifty years.  It is hoped that this study will assist the Church to develop ways to deal effectively with this issue from now on.

    The results of the study done by The John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York are due to be completed and released in late February and probably will produce “startling” numbers for the U.S. Church.  The John Jay study has no intention to give specific information about individual dioceses.  Accordingly, I feel the need to provide the statistics reported by the Diocese of Gallup for this study. I am asking all of our pastors to share this information with all of our people in an appropriate manner.

    Of the 494 bishops, priests and permanent deacons that are known to have served in the Diocese of Gallup from 1950 to 2002, there were 8 known individuals who had credible accusations of sexual abuse of minors made against them.  This translates to  1.6% of all clergy who served in the Diocese of Gallup were accused of sexual misconduct with juveniles.   In this same period of time there was a total of 11 known victims.   A total of $190,000 has been paid in settlements as a result of sexual abuse of minors with $15,000 paid directly by the diocese, $40,000.00 by our insurance carrier and $135,000.00 by the associated local institute, St. Bonaventure Indian School in Thoreau, NM.  None of the money paid by the diocese came from our parishes and missions, nor were any services or programs curtailed as a result.  As you process these numbers, please keep in mind that from 1939 to 1969, before the creation of the Diocese of Phoenix, all of Northern Arizona was part of the Diocese of Gallup.  This included all of Coconino, Mohave and Yavapai counties as well as all of Navajo and Apache counties which are still part of the Diocese.  The New Mexico portion of the Diocese of Gallup has remained unchanged since the establishment of the Diocese in 1939.

    Even one single case of sexual abuse of a child is a tragedy.  Nonetheless, I submit to you that during the same period of time many dedicated men and women – clergy, religious and lay – have contributed significantly to the increase of the human condition and the improvement of human dignity in the name of Christ - in the name of the Catholic Church in Northeastern Arizona and Northwestern New Mexico.  This has been accomplished through our parishes, missions, schools and charitable agencies.  Countless men, women and children have been fed, clothed, cared for when sick, consoled when sorrowful, educated, heard the Good News and nourished by the Sacraments.  St. Katharine Drexel and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta personally established ministries of charity here for our people.  In 2002, our annual budget for Catholic Charities was $931,000.00.  The total budget for the 12 schools for the 2002-2003 school year was $5,707,000.00.   451 new people were  received into the Church in this diocese through R.C.I.A. in 2002.  

    We currently have  4 seminarians, 8 deacon candidates and 7 lay ministry students.  In 2003 alone, 4 new permanent deacons were ordained for service to the Church.   Since 2001 we have dedicated two new churches and re-dedicated one remodeled church.  In 2002 1,165 people participated in the Disciples in Mission Evangelization Initiative.   

     Clearly, the Catholic Faith is alive and vibrant in our local Church, the Diocese of Gallup.  The good does not make up for the bad, but neither does the bad wipe out the good.  The Apostles fulfilled their mission despite their own human weaknesses.

    The support of the Catholic lay faithful for the Church and especially for our dedicated, loving and devoted priests has been overwhelming. I applaud and thank you all for this.  I ask each and every one of you to join me in prayer and thanksgiving for our priests.  I also ask you to join me in prayer as we commit ourselves to the protection of all vulnerable people in our midst, especially our children.

                    Fraternally in Christ,                 

                    Most Rev. Donald E. Pelotte, SSS
                    Bishop of Gallup

This letter is to be made available to the people of the Diocese of Gallup the weekend of November 29-30, 2003 – The First Sunday in Advent.

A los sacerdotes, diáconos, hombres y mujeres religiosos, ministros laicos y todos los fieles de la diócesis de Gallup,

+30, Noviembre, 2003

Primer Domingo de Advento

Mis amigos queridos en Cristo,

    Teniendo recientemente volviendo de la reunión de otoZo de la Conferencia de los Obisbos Católica de los Estados Unidos en Washington, D.C. Estoy de nuevo mucho enterado del dolor y sufrimiento que la crisis abuso sexual ha causado. Esta tragedia en el suyo o su propia manera ha tocado cada uno de nosotros. Estoy particularmente atento de las víctimas. Estoy afligido en verdad por el daZo hecho a los niZos por las acciones de algunos sacerdotes y decisiones desafortunadas tomados por algunos obispos.

    Tanto como todos nosotros quisieramos poner esto detrás de nosotros, el proceso curativo y el desarrollo de las políticas y de los procedimientos para prevenirlo en el futuro requieren más atención. Nos hemos confiado públicamente para no volver a negocios como de costumbre pero para hacer cada esfuerzo de reformar y de moverse adelante. Yo, como su obispo, me comprometo y a mi personal a la transparencia y a la protección de todos nuestros niZos y juventud.

    Como usted sabe, los obispos de los Estados Unidos aprobaron la carta para la protección de niZos y de la juventud y las normas asociadas en su reunión en Dallas, Tejas en Junio de 2002. La Carta y las Normas fueron aprobadas posteriormente por el Santo Padre para las 194 diócesis de los Estados Unidos de Julio eficaz el 1 de 2003. Uno de los requisitos de la Carta debía conducir un estudio de la crisis abuso sexual durante los cincuenta aZos pasados. Se espera que este estudio asistirá a la iglesia para desarrollar maneras de ocuparse con eficacia de esta edición el adelante.

    Los resultados del estudio hecho por la universidad del de la Justicia Criminal de John Jay en Nueva York deben ser terminado y ser lanzado en febrero 2004 y producirán probablemente <<soprendente>> números para la iglesia de los Estados Unidos. El estudio del John Jay no tiene ninguna intención de la información específica sobre diócesis individuales. Por consiguiente, siento la necesidad de proporcionar la estadística divulgada por la diócesis de Gallup para este estudio. Estoy pidiendo que todos nuestros pastores compartan esta información con toda nuestra gente de una manera apropiada.

    De los 494 obispos, de los sacerdotes y de los diáconos permanentes que se conocen para haber desempeZado servicios en la diócesis de Gallup a partir de 1950 a 2002, había 8 individuos sabidos que tenían acusaciones creíbles del abuso sexual de los menores de edad hechos contra ellos. Esto traduce a 1.6% de todo el clero que desempeZó servicios en la diócesis de Gallup fue acusado de mala conducta sexual con los menores. En este mismo período del tiempo había un total de 11 víctimas conocidas. Un total de $190.000 se ha pagado en establecimientos como resultado del abuso sexual de menores de edad con $15.000 pagados directamente por la diócesis, $40.000.00 por nuestro portador de seguro y $135.000.00 del instituto local asociado. Ninguno del dinero pagado por la diócesis vino de nuestras parroquias y misiones, ni era cualquier servicio o programa acortado consecuentemente. Cuando usted procese estos números, tenga por favor presente que a partir la 1939 a 1969, antes de la creación de la diócesis de Phoenix, todo el norte de Arizona era parte de la diócesis de Gallup. Esto incluye todos los condados de Coconino, del Mohave y de Yavapai así como todos los condados de Navajo y de Apache que son parte inmóvil de la diócesis. Ha seguido habiendo la porción de Nuevo México de la diócesis de Gallup sin cambiar desde el establecimiento de la diócesis en 1939.

    Incluso un solo caso de abuso sexual de un niZo es una tragedia. No obstante, someto a usted eso durante el mismo período del tiempo muchos hombres y mujeres dedicados cleros, religiosos y laicos, han contribuido perceptiblemente al aumento de la condición humana y a mejorar la dignidad humana en el nombre de Cristo - en el nombre de la iglesia Católica en Arizona del noreste y Nuevo México del noroeste. Esto se ha logrado a través de nuestras parroquias, misiones, escuelas y agencias caritativas. Los hombres, las mujeres y los niZos incontables han sido de comida, han arropado, han cuidado para cuando enfermo, han consolado cuando son dolorosos, lo han educado, lo han oído las buenas noticias y lo han alimentado por los sacramentos. Santa. Katharine Drexel y Bendita Teresa de Calcutta estableció personalmente los ministerios de la caridad aquí para nuestra gente. En 2002, nuestro presupuesto anual para las caridades católicas era $931.000.00. El presupuesto total para las 12 escuelas por el aZo escolar 2002-2003 era $5.707.000.00. recibieron a 451 nuevas personas en la iglesia en esta diócesis con R.C.I.A. en 2002.

    Tenemos actualmente 4 seminaristas, 8 candidatos del diácono permanente y 7 estudiantes laicos del ministerio. En 2003 solos, 4 nuevos diáconos permanentes ordainado para el servicio a la iglesia. Puesto que 2001 nosotros hemos dedicado dos iglesias nuevas y la una iglesia remodelada re-dedicada. En 2002 1,165 personas participó en la iniciativa de Evangelización <<Discípulos en Misión>>. Claramente, la fe católica es viva y vibrant en nuestra iglesia local, la diócesis de Gallup. El bueno no compensa el malo, pero ni uno ni otro hace el mal trapo fuera del bueno. Los apostles satisficieron su misión a pesar de sus propias debilidades humanas.

    La ayuda de la endecha católica fiel para la iglesia y especialmente para nuestros sacerdotes dedicados, cariZosos y devotos ha estado abrumando. Le aplaudo y agradezco por todo esto. Pido que cada uno de usted es me acompayen en rezo y gracias para nuestros sacerdotes. También pido que usted me acompaye en rezo como nos comprometemos a la protección de toda la gente vulnerable en nuestro medio, especialmente nuestros niZos.

Fraternalmente en Cristo,

MonseZor Reverendo Donaldo E. Pelotte, SSS

Obisbo de Gallup

Esta letra está para ser hecho disponible para la gente de la diócesis de Gallup el fin de semana de 29-30, de Noviembre, El primer domingo en Advento