Policy Regarding Ethical Ministry to Minors

We, the Province of St. Albert the Great, the Chicago-based Central Province of Dominican Friars in the United States, are steadfastly committed to protecting minors and other vulnerable persons. The profound impact of sexual abuse on victims and survivors, and the harm suffered in and by the Church when abuse is perpetrated by clergy and religious, have been a cause of great scandal.  The commission of sexual abuse is a grave offense against human dignity.  Our response should strive to uphold and restore that dignity when it has been wounded. This requires our commitment as a Province, not only to strive to prevent sexual abuse, but also to address allegations in a way that is pastoral, just, and transparent.  

Since 1987, the Province has had specific policies to protect minors and to respond to complaints of child sexual abuse. These have been updated regularly, particularly after the promulgation of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002 and the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons in 2006. The Province has been accredited since 2006 by Praesidium Religious Services, Inc. the accrediting body selected by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men.

The Province’s current safeguarding policy includes the following:

Screening of Applicants and Training

All candidates for admission into the province undergo a thorough screening process and extensive training including:

• A psychological evaluation conducted by a licensed psychologist;
• A nationwide criminal background check; a nationwide sex offender registry check; a Social Security number trace and an alias search; and individual state and county level searches where the candidate has lived, studied, or worked during the past seven years;
• Seven reference letters from a variety of personal and professional relationships;
• A review of publicly accessible content from social media, personal blog sites, and websites associated with accounts controlled by the candidate;
• Three documented face-to-face interviews, two conducted by pairs of admissions board members and one by the Master of Novices
• Six to eight years of formation which include training in the proper integration of human sexuality, development of the virtue of chastity, and annual evaluations;
• An initial training program in safeguarding at the beginning of formation and continuing education training each year.

Education and Training Requirements for All Friars

Friars no longer in initial formation continue to undergo regular training throughout their lives. In particular:

• Each friar must periodically read the Province’s Safeguarding Policy, paying particular attention to the Guidelines for Behaviors with Minors which is attached below.
• Each friar must participate in at least five hours of continuing education per Praesidium accreditation cycle (see Accreditation below).

Reporting Misconduct and Support

• All who have suffered sexual abuse as a child are encouraged to report such abuse to their local law enforcement agencies.
• Anyone who is in need of assistance or who has concerns that they wish to bring to the attention of the Province may contact our Victim & Survivor Assistance Coordinator, Dr. Michael Bland (773-404-8161).

Responding to Complaints

• Complaints received by the Province are reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency and the local diocese regardless of their apparent credibility.
• The Victim & Survivor Assistance Coordinator (VSAC) is the primary contact between victims/survivors and the Province to promote healing.  The VSAC communicates with victims/survivors to offer support and information, meeting in person whenever possible.
• Through the VSAC, the Province offers assistance in obtaining counseling and additional pastoral outreach as appropriate.
• All complaints are investigated as thoroughly as possible. When appropriate, an independent investigator is retained to investigate any allegation against a friar who is still living.
• Anyone making a complaint may choose to meet with the Prior Provincial once his or her complaint has been investigated.
• Any friar who is the subject of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor that is not plainly implausible, in light of the available information, will be withdrawn from public ministry while the matter is investigated.

Province Review Board

• The Review Board for the Province provides consultation to the Prior Provincial regarding the Province’s response to incidents and allegations of sexual abuse of minors and on policies and procedures to enhance its Safeguarding Program.  The Board also advises the Prior Provincial on any further cautionary measures that it deems necessary for the protection of minors or vulnerable adults.
• The Review Board consists of five members appointed by the Prior Provincial who have a wide variety of training and backgrounds. Typically, the members include attorneys, retired law enforcement agents, psychologists and social workers who worked with victims, victims of child sexual abuse, and a parishioner who is a parent. No more than one member of the Board may be a member of the Province.

Accreditation

Our safeguarding efforts are audited by Praesidium, an outside agency selected by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men.

• The accreditation process includes onsite inspections, interviews of Provincial leadership and members, review of records for all our screening and safeguarding training, and a review of each complaint received since the last accreditation.
• On April 2, 2025, the Province of St. Albert the Great was reaccredited by Praesidium Religious Services for five years, having met all 20 Standards and 95 criteria with no corrections or notations.