La Crosse Diocese amends its sex abuse policies for minors

Dad29 alerted me to this Journal Sentinel article from yesterday that stated

the La Crosse Diocese on Monday amended its sex abuse policies to recommend victims notify civil authorities, in addition to the diocese, in cases involving minors - a move that brings it more in line with Milwaukee's policies.

This was news to me.  I blogged earlier stating I was under the impression that the Diocese of La Crosse already had the policy that minor abuse was always reported to the authorities, but this is not the case.   Here is where I got that impression

Authorities by law must immediately be notified if the sexual abuse report to the bishop involves a child, La Crosse diocesan attorney Jim Birnbaum said. But the diocese has no such obligation in complaints by adults — nor does any other organization or employer, Birnbaum said.

So perhaps Birnbaum is saying that current law requires it so it need not be in diocesan policy.  I think it needs to be in diocesan policy. 

Here is the policy update.

Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities.

I think it is a reasonable policy to but I don't see any situation where an administrator or bishop should feel like it is in the best interest of the diocese to not report abuse of a minor.  Right, but what if it turns out to be not true.  Even in that case the diocese takes a great risk.  Yes we need to protect priests good names but if there isn't a way to do this legally right now, the bishops of Wisconsin should try to work with legislators to see that these matters can be handled privately by law enforcement unless charges are filed.  Unfortunately the current Wisconsin policy makers are a mess full of liberals hoping to destroy not help the Catholic Church in Wisconsin. 

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee will lead the way here regardless of what is happening in La Crosse.