Diocesan review board named

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The Independent Review Board named last week by Bp. Robert Banks to assess allegations of sexual abuse involving priests and other church personnel and to review the Green Bay Diocese's sexual abuse policies will begin meeting next month.

Bp. Banks told the news media Aug. 1 that he thought the board would meet monthly for six months to a year, then as needed.

Bp. Banks said that, as with other diocesan boards and commissions, he will take their recommendations seriously.

"The naming of this board is one more step to show people that we are handling this matter responsibly and that they have nothing to be afraid of," Bp. Banks said.

The board is composed of four lay people, one deacon, one priest and one woman religious, all named to five-year terms.

"I am pleased to have such respected professionals serving in this very important assignment," Bp. Banks said. "Each brings to the table an expertise that will help me strengthen the diocese's existing policies and practices."

Board members are:

• Linda Doro, Nativity Parish, Green Bay. She is an independent clinical social worker at the Brown County Department of Human Services, and has worked for 25 years in the field of child sexual abuse.

• Howard Healy, St. Margaret Mary Parish, Neenah. He is an attorney with the DiRenzo and Bomier law firm and for one term chaired the diocesan Total Catholic Education Board.

• Kathleen Lyons, St. James Parish, Denmark. She is a psychiatric advanced practitioner nurse at American Foundation of Counseling Services, Green Bay.

• Milt Steeno, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay. He retired from the Green Bay Police Department after 30 years of service.

• Dcn. Paul Umentum, St. Mary of the Angels Parish, Green Bay. He is a permanent deacon and an attorney with Wanezek Umentum & Jaeckels SC, Green Bay.

• Fr. John Van Deuren, Green Bay. He is a retired priest of the Green Bay Diocese. He served for many years as the chair of the Priest Personnel Board. He also was the director of pastoral care at St. Mary's Hospital and supervisor of clinical pastoral education for the diocese.

• Sr. Laura Wolf of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, Manitowoc. She is president of FSCC HealthCare Ministry and holds a law degree.

Board members were recommended by diocesan staff. Bp. Banks said he will attend the first meeting, but that he will not regularly attend the board's meetings. He said Auxiliary Bp. Robert Morneau, whose duties include vicar of priests, or other diocesan staff would attend meetings as needed.

Bp. Banks said the diocesan staff would write policies that would be given to the new board, which would review policies and oversee their application. The board also will assess, as needed, allegations of abuse involving priests or other church personnel.

In June, the U.S. bishops approved the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People." One requirement of the document is for each Diocese to establish an Independent Review Board consisting of a majority of lay members, a priest, and an expert on the sexual abuse of minors.

When the Green Bay board meets next month, it will appoint a chairperson.