Diocese of New Ulm reports
statistics and financial costs pertaining to clerical sexual abuse of minors.
The Diocese of New Ulm has, over the years,
taken many steps to respond effectively to the issue of sexual misconduct in
the Church. In September, 2003, the Diocese of New Ulm participated in a
national audit conducted by an auditing firm, The Gavin Group, Inc. to assess
how the diocese had implemented the Charter for the Protection of Children and
Young People, adopted by the United States Catholic Bishops in June 2002. The
Diocese of New Ulm was found to be in compliance with each of the Articles set
forth in the Charter.
The diocese also participated in The John
Jay Study, which was conducted to carefully assess the problem of sexual
misconduct on the part of clergy. This study was carried out in order to
evaluate the size and the scope of the problem in
The Diocese of New Ulm reported that since 1957, the year the diocese was
formed, to the present, 305 priests have served in the diocese. During that
time there have been 25 allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving 12
priests of the Diocese of New Ulm.
Financial Costs
The following summary sets forth the
financial costs associated with clerical sexual abuse of minors in the Diocese
of New Ulm since 1990.
- The diocese has paid $63,921 for therapy and counseling to victims of sexual
misconduct when they were minors.
- The diocese has paid $4,261 for therapy for clerics who abused minors. (This
amount is low because all of the alleged perpetrators are deceased or no longer
serving as priests.)
- To date, the diocese has paid $61,254 in legal costs.
- The diocese has paid $429,500 in
settlements to victims from 1992 -1998. Insurers of the diocese have covered
$303,000 of those settlements. The remaining $126,500 was paid by the diocese.
**If you or someone you know has been sexually exploited by a member of the
clergy and you need to talk with someone about abuse, exploitation, or
harassment, please contact the Diocese of New Ulm Victim Assistance
Coordinator, or the Bishop's Delegate in Matters Pertaining to Sexual Misconduct
by Clergy, 1400 6th Street North,
New