Allegations of Abuse
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Dear Friends of the Lord,
Society of the Divine Word
Southern Province
Divine Word Missionaries
Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Minor
With this letter and the accompany documents, the Southern Province of the Society of the Divine Word is listing the names of Divine Word Missionaries with ties to the Southern Province who have been credibly accused of the sexual abuse of minors.
This list is of deceased members of the Southern Province, Divine Word Missionaries who have served in the Southern Province and been transferred to another Province, and men who are no longer affiliated with the Society of the Divine Word.
Words cannot express the deep sorrow we feel for the harm these men have caused to victims/survivors and their families. We also apologize for participating in the harm that abuse has done to the Catholic Church. The People of God have suffered, and they rightly demand transparency and accountability. We hope that this disclosure of names will contribute to reconciliation and healing.
Beginning in 2002, the Southern Province instituted numerous reforms for responding to claims of abuse and striving to ensure the safety of minors. As far back as the 1970s, the Southern Province made a concerted effort to remove from public ministry and restrict contact with minors for all those accused or otherwise suspected of sexual abuse or the violation of acceptable boundaries with minors.
Most of the cases related to the names that are listed here date back decades. We view the disclosure today of our shameful history as part of our commitment now to preventing abuse. The Southern Province employs a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual abuse of minors and reports to civil and church authorities all accusations of sexual abuse involving a minor.
In 2020, the Southern Province implemented a comprehensive program of Sexual Abuse Policies that requires initial and annual ongoing education in sexual abuse prevention and mandated reporting for all Province members. Each member is also required to undergo initial and ongoing background checks, and to meet annually with a religious superior to review efforts to protect children and youth from sexual abuse.
The Southern Province has been accredited since January 2021 by Praesidium, Inc., an independent agency, for its compliance with standards for the safeguarding of minors.
An independent Sexual Abuse Review Board meets annually and more often if needed to oversee the response to all allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor including the review of the investigation, reporting to civil and church authorities, assistance to the victim/survivor and restriction of the offending member should he be alive.
As an additional step toward transparency and accountability, the Southern Province arranged for an external audit of all member files (current, deceased, transferred and former) to ensure that previous internal reviews were both accurate and complete, and that no case of the sexual abuse of a minor has been overlooked or not fully recorded.
We encourage anyone who suspects abuse by any member of the Southern Province to contact local law enforcement, church officials or the following:
Provincial Superior Sexual Abuse Review Board
204 Ruella Avenue Deacon Steven DeMartino
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 Conference of Major Superiors of Men
ussprovincial@gmail.com sdemartino@cmsm.org
Tel: (228) 467-4322 Tel: (914) 330-3727
Victim Assistance Coordinator
Mrs. Gae Savino, LMSW
Mindful Heart Counseling Services
gsavino@aol.com
(914) 391-5966
Yours in the Divine Word,
Very Rev. Michael Somers, SVD
Provincial Superior – Southern Province
Ongoing Efforts to Protect Children and Youth
Guidelines for Reporting Sexual Abuse
The Southern Province of the Society of the Divine Word recognizes that the sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or brother has devastating consequences for the victim/survivor and his or her family, for the lay and religious communities, and for the perpetrator.
The Society of the Divine Word has become increasingly aware of the effects of this tragic behavior and has developed a steadfast commitment to help those affected. This guide is intended to provide basic information on the procedures for reporting and responding to allegations of sexual abuse.
Where to Turn for Help
If you or someone you know believes that a member of the Society of the Divine Word has engaged in the sexual abuse of a minor, regardless of when, where, why, how or how long ago the alleged abuse occurred, we urge you to report such behavior immediately to one of the four people whose duty it is to address such matters:
The Provincial Superior, the leader of the Southern Province, is ultimately responsible for all the members, ministries and activities of the Society of the Divine Word in the Southern USA.
The Chairperson of the Sexual Abuse Review Board convenes the independent Board composed of lawyers, law enforcement and other trained professionals that review and advise the Province administration on all matters related to incidents of sexual abuse, prevention of abuse and the protection of children.
The Survivor Assistance Coordinator provides assessment and counseling services for victims/survivors of clergy sexual abuse. The Survivor Assistance Coordinator facilitates the Society of the Divine Word’s requests for assistance.
The Director of Child Protection oversees all efforts of the Southern Province to protect children and youth from sexual abuse. This includes oversight of background screening, initial and ongoing education, recording and reporting allegations, arranging victim/survivor assistance, preparing appropriate restrictions and supervisions of members who have abused, providing documentation for the Review Board, and coordinating accreditation visits and reports.
Provincial Superior Sexual Abuse Review Board
204 Ruella Avenue Deacon Steven DeMartino
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 sdemartino@cmsm.org
ussprovincial@gmail.com Tel: (914) 330-3727
Tel: (228) 467-4322
Victim Assistance Coordinator
Mrs. Gae Savino, LMSW
Mindful Heart Counseling Services
gsavino@aol.com
(914) 391-5966
How to Report Sexual Abuse
Any adult reporting sexual abuse as a minor or any minor abused by a member of the Society of the Divine Word should contact one or more of the individuals/offices noted above for assistance. The allegation will be handled with the strictest confidentiality and utmost sensitivity and reported to the proper civil authorities in accord with prevailing laws and statutes.
The person reporting the sexual abuse of a minor is free to report the incident directly to the appropriate local, county and/or state law enforcement authorities.
If there is suspicion or knowledge that a child is currently being abused, the one so informed should immediately notify the proper civil authorities. In Mississippi, call the Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline: (800) 222-8000 (Nationwide); or call: (601) 432-4570 for help in locating the proper authority of the state/country in which the alleged abuse is occurring.
How the Society of the Divine Word Responds to an Allegation
The Society of the Divine Word takes all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor very seriously. Upon receiving such an allegation, the Provincial Superior of the Southern Province will initiate several steps in response to the allegation.
- Any new allegations of sexual abuse of a minor that may have been committed by a member or other agent of the Province shall be promptly reported to civil authorities in the jurisdiction in which the alleged incident occurred.
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- Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor will be reported to civil authorities regardless of whether the accused member is living or dead, or whether he is a current or former member of the Province.
- Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor will be reported to civil authorities regardless of whether the alleged victim/survivor’s identity is known.
- Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, when the victim/survivor is no longer a minor at the time the incident is first reported, will be reported as obligated by the civil laws of the state where the sexual abuse of the minor allegedly occurred.
- Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor will be reported to civil authorities regardless of whether the allegations are believed to be likely to be established at the time they are received.
- Counseling services will be offered. A trained professional will listen to and offer help to the victim/survivor and others affected by the abuse, including the services of appropriate psychological counseling and other resources that may be helpful.
- The Province, through an independent investigator, will respond swiftly to evaluate and investigate any accusation of sexual abuse of a minor perpetrated by a member of the Society of the Divine Word. Any such investigation will be conducted with respect for any investigation being conducted by civil authorities.
- Any member of the Society of the Divine Word who has engaged in the sexual abuse of a minor will be permanently removed from any public ministry and placed in a restricted and supervised environment.
This entire matter including the allegation, investigation, response to the victim/survivor and restrictions placed on the perpetrator will be presented to the Southern Province Sexual Abuse Review Board. This independent, interdisciplinary Board of lay professionals advises the Provincial on all matters related to sexual abuse perpetrated by a member of the Southern Province. All aspects of the Province’s response will be reviewed by the Board in order to determine if further action is advisable.FAQ’s REGARDING THE RELEASE OF NAMES OF
Q: What information are you releasing?
MEMBERS ACCUDED OF THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR
AND PROCEDURES FOR PREVENTING ABUSE
A: The Southern Province of the Society of the Divine Word is releasing information associated with allegations of sexual abuse of minors. The names of those against whom there is a credible allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor are all deceased.
[NOTE: The word “members” refers to Divine Word priests and brothers. They may also be referred to as “Divine Word Missionaries.”]
- Deceased Members of the Southern Province against whom there is a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Included in this list are members who sexually abused a minor while in the Southern Province and then were transferred to another Province and are now deceased.
Q: Where is this information available?
A: This information is accessible on the Protecting Children section of the Southern Province website.
Q: What is meant by a credible allegation?
A: An allegation is deemed “credible” if there is a preponderance of evidence that the allegation is more likely true than not. The Review Board—an independent board of lay professionals from the fields of psychology, law enforcement, church ministry, law and human resources—reviews the allegation, investigation reports, personnel files and other relevant information in order to make a judgment on the credibility of the allegation. That judgment is presented to the Provincial who makes the final decision on credibility in accordance with province policies approved by the accrediting agency.
Credibility can also be established by a conviction in court or by the admission of the truth of the allegation by the member.
Q: Are any credibly accused Southern Province members still in public ministry?
A: No.
Q: When did these incidents of sexual abuse of a minor occur?
A: The majority of the credible acts of sexual abuse occurred before the year 2000 with most incidents occurring in the period from the 1950s–1980s. Since the year 2000, there has been no credible allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor and no credible incident of inappropriate electronic communication of a sexual nature with a minor.
Q: Did some members engage in public ministry after the abuse took place?
A: In many cases, the allegation was received many years after the abuse took place, so a member may have continued in public ministry because Southern Province leaders were not aware of the abuse.
There are other situations as far back as the 1970s, however, when an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor became known, the member was immediately removed from public ministry and forbidden to have any contact with minors.
In other cases, especially in the 1970s–1990s members were sometimes allowed to resume public ministry after an allegation provided that the member successfully completed psychological treatment. We now know that even with treatment, a person who has abused a minor should not return to public ministry or have contact with minors.
Our awareness of the nature and effect of abuse of minors has changed dramatically over the years. We are diligent in investigating all allegations of abuse, and we do not allow anyone with a credible allegation to engage in public ministry. We recognize now our failures of the past in this regard, and we are deeply sorry.
Since 2002 when the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was instituted, clear and consistent procedures have been developed for removing from public ministry members with a credible allegation of abuse of a minor.
Q: Why are you releasing this information now?
A: Recent revelations about sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy, religious brothers, teachers, sports coaches and other church workers are leading the People of God rightly to desire greater accountability from the leadership of the Church. We are releasing this information to provide that kind of transparency. We view this disclosure as part of our commitment to preventing abuse and hope that it will contribute to the process of restoring trust.
Q: What happens when an allegation is received?
A: When a claim involving abuse of a minor is made against a member, the Province immediately reports it to law enforcement whether the abuse is current or happened in the past. The Province fully cooperates with legal authorities throughout their investigation.
Upon receipt of an allegation involving sexual misconduct with a minor, regardless of the victim/survivor’s current age, the accused member is removed from ministry pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Province offers pastoral and therapeutic services to the victim/survivor.
The Province also opens its own internal investigation irrespective of whether a criminal investigation is initiated. Results of the investigation are evaluated by the Review Board and Provincial as described above.
Q: What happens to a member when an allegation of abuse is deemed credible?
A: We are committed to safeguarding others and preventing future abuse while also caring for our members, even those who have committed serious offenses. Any member who is credibly accused of abuse is not permitted to engage in public ministry or wear clerical or religious attire.
The member must observe a “Safety Plan” (code of conduct) in a closely monitored environment. Safety Plans specify risk reduction strategies and restrictions on behavior, including the use of technology, money, travel and access by visitors. The plans are developed and monitored in consultation with the Review Board and professional supervisors.
Q: What are you doing to make sure this never happens again?
A: The Southern Province has a zero-tolerance policy regarding instances of inappropriate conduct between a member and a minor. We have had protocols and procedures in place since 2003 as part of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (Dallas Charter), a comprehensive set of procedures originally established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. Further, the Southern Province observes the Standards for Accreditation of Praesidium, Inc., and complies fully with the Child Protection Program of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM).
Q: Is there an external review of the Southern Province policies and procedures?
A: Yes. The Southern Province is accredited by Praesidium, Inc., an organization providing consultation, risk management assessment, policy development, and training materials for use in preventing sexual misconduct and responding to allegations of sexual misconduct. The Province maintains accreditation through regular audits conducted by trained, certified staff members of Praesidium.
The Southern Province retained the services of a federal law enforcement official to complete a thorough review of the personnel files of the more than 65 members – current, former and deceased – of the Southern Province. The purpose of this review was to locate and document every case of the sexual abuse of a minor.
Q: What are you doing to screen, educate and monitor members?
A: Before a young man is accepted into the Society of the Divine Word, he undergoes an in-depth screening process that includes a psychosexual assessment, social media evaluation and an extensive criminal background check.
At every stage of seminary formation and through their active ministry, members receive regular safe-environment training to promote ethical conduct in ministry and awareness and sensitivity of professional boundaries.
There is an annual continuing education requirement that members receive training in preventing sexual abuse and meet with a religious superior to review compliance with all appropriate standards of behavior.
Q: What is the Society of the Divine Word?
A: The Society of the Divine Word is a worldwide Catholic religious organization of more than 6,000 missionary priests and brothers serving in more than 75 countries. The central headquarters are in Rome, Italy. There are 61 geographic governing units known as provinces, regions or missions throughout the world.
Q. What is the Southern Province?
A: The Southern Province is one of the 61 geographic governing units of the Society of the Divine Word. It currently has about 65 members including priests, brothers and seminarians who have professed religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Members of the Southern Province serve Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Florida.
Q. Are there other Divine Word provinces in the United States
A: The Chicago Province with headquarters in Techny, Illinois, has about 220 members serving in ten states, Washington DC, two Canada provinces and ten Caribbean islands. The Western Province with headquarters in Riverside, California, has about 60 members serving throughout the state of California.
Q: How can I report abuse?
A: If you believe that you, or someone you know, is being or has been abused by a member of the Southern Province currently or at any time in the past, we urge you to follow the procedures explained in the webpage Guide for Reporting available in English, Spanish or Vietnamese.
For more information, contact:
Society of the Divine Word - Southern Province
204 Ruella Avenue
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(288) 467-4322
www.divineword-uss.org
Deceased Members of the Southern Province against whom there is a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Included in this list are members who sexually abused a minor while in the Southern Province and then were transferred to another province and are now deceased. You may click the link below to view this list of deceased members credibly accused of abuse of a minor.