Canadian Catholic bishops today are releasing a nation-wide system for reporting sexual abuse or its cover-up by bishops, hoping it will increase transparency and accountability in the Church.
“The reporting system for bishops introduces an additional level of accountability for Church leadership in Canada, alongside the existing diocesan/eparchial protocols for reporting and responding to sexual abuse or other sexual misconduct by priests, deacons, religious, and mandated lay pastoral personnel,” the Bishops of Canada said in a statement May 6.
The system, called ClearView Connects, is a bilingual, confidential platform that can be accessed online or by phone. It was created in partnership between CCCB and the Canadian whistleblowing platform ClearView Strategic Partners and is funded by the individual dioceses.
“The Catholic Bishops of Canada condemn the sin and crime of sexual abuse in the strongest possible terms,” they said.
“No one should ever have to endure the pain, humiliation, and long-term suffering it causes, nor should anyone have to doubt that serious consequences await a perpetrator of sexual abuse or cover-up.”
Any sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or cover-up of such abuse by a living bishop can be reported in ClearView Connects. A report is then sent to the bishop and delegate of the next diocese above them in the Church hierarchy; reports from dioceses are sent to archdioceses. Reports about archdioceses will be sent to the senior suffragan diocese in the region.
The bishop and his delegate will do an initial investigation of the allegations which, if found credible, are sent to the Vatican.
The system creates a record that allows the person who reported the allegation to check in on the status of their complaint. If any allegation involves criminal activity, minors, or vulnerable adults, the police are notified.
In a statement the Archdiocese of Vancouver called the new reporting platform a “good first step for increased accountability for bishops in Canada.”
It said confidential third-party reporting means a person reporting an allegation of abuse does not have to contact a church or member of the clergy.
ClearView Connects’ scope is limited to reports of abuse by living bishops. Abuse by deceased bishops, priests, religious, or lay people must be reported directly to the appropriate diocese. In the Archdiocese of Vancouver, an independent review board receives and studies all allegations, and when an allegation is found credible it is reported to Archbishop J. Michael Miller for action.
If someone is in danger, church authorities are required to report to police immediately.
“We are committed to validating the reports and experiences of victims/survivors and to facilitating their healing,” said spokesperson Melissa Godbout.
The Archdiocese of Vancouver’s Implementation Working Group, charged with implementing the recommendations of the 2019 Case Review Committee, plans to release its next report in June. It will outline more information about recent work done in the Archdiocese of Vancouver to promote healing of victims/survivors and to hold perpetrators of sexual abuse to account.
To report abuse by a bishop in Canada through ClearView Connects, call 1-866-892-3737 or visit bishopreportingsystem.ca.
To report abuse by a member of the clergy in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, call 604-363-7338. To report abuse by a religious, lay employee, or volunteer, there are several contact options. Visit rcav.org/safe-environment/reporting-abuse for details.
