The Diocese of Tulsa will have a communications policy that reflects a commitment to transparency and openness. Balancing the rights and responsibilities of various persons requires prudent decisions on the part of diocesan leadership as well as media professionals. Persons in administrative leadership for the Diocese of Tulsa will continue to share appropriate information with the media and others - for example, the clergy - relative to allegations of sexual misconduct of church ministers or other issues of legitimate public interest. Within the confines of respect for the privacy and reputation of the individuals involved, the Diocese of Tulsa will deal as openly as possible with members of the community, especially with regard to assisting and supporting parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors.

Diocesan policy requires compliance with Oklahoma State Law as it pertains to the mandatory reporting of allegations of sexual misconduct with minors when the alleged victim is still a minor. The Diocese remains committed to working with the Department of Human Services and police in the investigation of any allegations of misconduct.

Diocesan leadership is also firmly committed to working closely with the diocesan Pastoral Response Team and with the diocesan Review Board. The Diocese of Tulsa will cooperate fully with the Office for Child and Youth Protection of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops. Our hope is that the result of these efforts will be of greater benefit to the public as well as the specific individuals involved.

The public's legitimate interests must be balanced by the rights of individuals to their good reputations and privacy. For this reason, diocesan leadership ordinarily will comment on allegations except in the following circumstances:

1. When the accused individual has not been charged with a crime, when the allegations cannot be substantiated, or when the alleged victim(s) is no longer a minor at the time the allegation is made;

2. When allegations are offered anonymously.

 Moreover, diocesan leadership may withhold comment or delay commenting upon allegations in the following circumstances:

1. When the diocese, immediately after receiving an allegation of sexual misconduct, is in the first stages of determining what, if any, steps are necessary to protect children or young people;

2. When comment might compromise a police investigation;

3. When a matter is under pending litigation;

4. When an allegation cannot be substantiated following an appropriate investigation.

May 2003

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Last updated April 26, 2006.