The Six Areas We Address

Abuse in ecclesial contexts cannot be explained or evaluated through a single discipline. Each area of the Commission addresses questions that the others cannot answer.

Legal-canonical

Were the applicable canonical and civil norms applied? Were the competent authorities notified when required? How were cases documented and processed?

Clinical

How were those who came forward received and accompanied? Was there revictimization? What is known about the harm caused and about the dynamics of the perpetrators?

Accountability

Were there protocols in place? Were they followed? Were they adequate? Who was answerable to whom?

Theological-pastoral

Did the understanding of authority, ministry, and community made the abuse possible? Did this facilitate a cover-up of the abuse? What paths of atonement and reconciliation are theologically consistent?

Socio-cultural

What social and cultural practices in the region made it more or less likely that a victim would come forward?

Communications

How did the institution speak publicly about these cases? What was said, what was left unsaid, and with what effect on trust and on people's willingness to come forward?