Answers by Fr. Lawrence Lee, Chancellor (2003.02.19)

1. Has the diocese offered any help to the victim in ex-priest Michael Lau's case whether it be counselling, or legal or financial assistance?

# After learning of the above case for the first time in 1995, the diocese has offered to provide counselling service and psychiatric therapy for the victim. However, he preferred to handle these matters himself. Nor did he ask for any such help when he met with representatives of the diocese again in 2000. Nevertheless, on that occasion the diocese assured him that should he take legal action against Michael Lau, the diocese would be ready to co-operate. Throughout the judicial process which is now concluded, the diocese has not offered any assistance to the victim, whether legal or financial, nor has he asked for it. We do hope he has at long last experienced a sense of relief, and can from now on enjoy a life of tranquility.

2. What about Michael Lau, has the diocese given him any support, in terms of psychiatric, counselling, or legal or financial assistance?

# Having been told of the complaint about him for the first time in 1995, the diocese has made arrangements for him to receive spiritual guidance. When he ultimately left the priesthood, the diocese had offered to support him financially for a transitional period of adaptation to his new way of living. However, he did not accept the offer, saying that he did not find it necessary. During the time when he was being prosecuted, no legal or financial assistance was provided by the diocese. If he really needs help in future, the Church would be ready to help him. After all, he is still our brother in the Lord. Moreover, he has offered himself to the Church in the prime of life.

3. Since the media reports on the sex scandals last year, has the diocese taken any steps to repair the damaged relations between the faithful and the clergy?

# Our pastors have adequately explained the whole issue to the faithful, exhorting them not to let their faith be affected by these events. So far we have not witnessed a widespread loss of trust in our clergy. Generally speaking, the faithful have a sufficiently mature discernment ability. They understand that sex scandals only involve a very small minority of the clergy, who in no way represent the vast majority who remain faithful to their pastoral ministry. We find it very consoling that our seminary could carry on with the admission of new students, with other young people considering entering the seminary under the guidance of their spiritual directors.

4. It is said that the diocese will establish an "inter-disciplinary Commission" for the protection of minors against sexual abuses. What are its functions and what progress has it made so far?

# This Commission will be a standing body composed of representatives of the legal, medical, psychological (or psychiatric), educational and social service fields as well as representatives of the clergy. It has two principal functions: Firstly, it aims to raise the awareness of the general public and Church organizations about the need to protect minors against sexual abuses. Secondly, the body deals with individual cases of the aforementioned abuses which take place within Church organizations (whether the alleged offenders be clerics or the staff of Church organizations) by setting up ad hoc committees composed of doctors, psychologists (or psychiatrists), lawyers, social workers and clerics. A seven-member Preparatory Committee for the establishment of this Diocesan Commission has already been appointed, and the first draft of the Constitution of the Commission is ready. We wish to stress that the setting up of this Commission is an arduous task, because this is the first time that we have dealt with a matter of this nature. The Catholic Church in other countries has similar bodies, but even these have only been recently established. We can, of course, adopt some aspects of their models, but we cannot follow these models completely as each place has its own particular background.

5. Has the Holy See inquired of the diocese about cases of sexual abuse of minors by priests? In dealing with the recent cases, has the diocese informed the Holy or sought her advice? What about in the future?

# The Holy See has not made such an inquiry, nor has the diocese informed her or requested advice. There are relevant norms for these cases in canon 1395 of the Code of Canon Law, applicable to the universal Church. On 30 April 2001 the Holy See promulgated supplementary norms applicable worldwide. According to the latter norms, all cases of sexual abuse of minors by clerics are to be referred to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which will decide whether it will handle those cases by itself or, instead, refer them back to the diocesan bishops concerned. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops submitted some "Essential Norms" in this regard to the Holy See last year. These norms, which would serve as the basis for ecclesiastical legislation in individual American dioceses, were approved by the Holy See on 8 December last year. Likewise, our diocese will submit its norms to the Holy See for approval at a later date.

6. According to reports in newspapers last year, during the term of the late Cardinal John B. Wu as Bishop of Hong Kong, there had been three cases of sexual abuse of minors by priests. Apart from the most recent case adjudicated by the District Court, can the diocese tell us the outcome of the other two cases?

# One of these two cases took place outside Hong Kong and was dealt with by the overseas civil authorities a long time ago. As for the other case, which happened in Hong Kong, the complainant refused to take legal action, and had insisted that the diocese should not follow up this case by reporting it to the Police, lest the identity of the complainant be disclosed. As far as the accused priest is concerned, the diocese has already suspended him from active ministry and is assisting him in receiving psychiatric therapy.

7. It is said that recently the Police disclosed to the media that at present they are investigating four cases involving alleged sexual abuse of minors by priests. Is this true?

# The media have communicated this information to the diocese. The diocese on her part is seeking legal advice as to whether or not the Police have breached the law by indirectly disclosing the identity of the organization concerned, namely the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong.