Volume 25, Number 3    December 2003

Justice Anne Burke: National Review Board “not naive”

Justice Anne Burke of Chicago, chair of the National Review Board, gave an overview of what the panel has been doing in its first year. She named the 14 board members and described their high-profile reputations in academia, medicine, law and public life as assurance that they are a credible and independent body that will pull no punches. They love the church, they want to make sure that children are protected, and “we are not naive.”

Burke gave CTA a preview of what she would report to the U.S. bishops' meeting the following week. The Gavin Audit of all 211 dioceses by former FBI agents is almost complete. A public report in January will reveal whether the bishops are following the charter adopted in Dallas. Burke said only one bishop refused to respond “unless the pope insisted.” The Holy See has now told him he must cooperate!

The statistical study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice showing the extent of the scandal — the numbers of perpetrators, victims and the cost of lawsuits —will be released Feb. 27. Reports are complete from 160 dioceses (76 percent). In 23 dioceses alone, cash settlements exceed $292 million. Also released the same day will be the board’s own subjective study on why they think the scandal occurred. Their report is based on 60 deposition- style interviews conducted by the board with bishops, victims, perpetrators and experts. Burke reported that the panel was getting good cooperation from the bishops.
Burke got sustained applause when she promised that to assure the integrity of the reports, they will be given to Bishop Gregory and to the press at the same time, and will be available on the Internet.