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  Dolan Backs off on Policy to Search Priests' Homes
Overwhelming Negative Reaction Prompts Reversal

By Mary Zahn
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel [Milwaukee WI]
April 19, 2005

Archbishop Timothy Dolan has temporarily backed off of a policy that would require priests to consent to unannounced searches of their homes and other restrictions if church officials suspect or know they have been involved in inappropriate behavior.On Tuesday, Dolan said he decided to put the policy on hold after an "overwhelming negative reaction by priests," some of whom read about the changes in a Journal Sentinel story that was published Friday.

He said he should have consulted with the priests before approving the policy in December.

"They are very angry with me," Dolan said. "That anger is legitimate, and I am very angry with myself."

The Council of Priests, an advisory group to the archbishop, will review the policy on April 28, according to Father Curt Frederick, the archdiocese's vicar for clergy.

The policy could be amended or refined "if the priests think it is wise," Dolan said. He added that he had received very few positive comments about the policy from parishioners or priests.

Priests were notified of Dolan's decision in an e-mail Monday from Frederick.

"Given the current firestorm I have suggested to the Archbishop that the documents be held in abeyance for the time being and he has agreed with that suggestion," Frederick wrote. "I am terribly sorry for any and all of the upset and consternation that the untimely release of these materials caused. It is a mess, and it reopens wounds that all of us want healed. I admit it. It wasn't intended to be so."

Routine annual mailing The new policy was sent out in a routine annual mailing about other unrelated matters in early April. Some priests had tossed the mailing aside, assuming it was not important, until a reporter called asking for comment.

One document dealt specifically with priests who sexually abused minors and the second with other categories of possible or known misconduct, including sexual behavior with adults or drug or alcohol abuse. Both contained the same potential restrictions and covered more than 400 priests and 150 deacons.

Under both policies, if the archdiocese deemed it necessary clerics would have had to sign a form agreeing to the searches and other restrictions.

Restrictions would be tailored to fit the circumstances of each person and not all of them would apply to everyone, a spokesman for the archdiocese said last week. Failure to comply with the restrictions could have caused a reduction in salary or benefits, according to the policy.

Dolan said the policy was written by Deacon David Zimprich, a former Milwaukee police officer who was "writing it from that context."

The intent of the initiative, Frederick said, was "to try to help guys lead holy and chaste lives."

A spokesman for the Milwaukee Archdiocese Priests Alliance said Tuesday that the group is preparing a statement about its "concerns regarding the policy, the way it was developed and how priests were notified" and will present it at the Council of Priests later this month.

The alliance was formed in 2003 as a support network and independent voice for priests.

Al Szews, president of the local chapter of Catholics United for the Faith, a national group that promotes traditional church teachings, said Tuesday that he continued to support the initiative and that Dolan's "authority is being weakened by his backing off on the policy."

Broader consultation sought Terry Ryan, founder of the local chapter of Voice of the Faithful, a national group formed in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis, said she was pleased that Dolan "had agreed to table the policies until there is broader consultation."

"I would hope and assume they will be significantly amended," Ryan said.