Diocese, school react properly to alleged abuse

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A Catholic priest who has served the St. Albert Catholic School Systemin Council Bluffs for the past 12 years was placed on leave late lastweek in the wake of allegations of sexual abuse by a former St. Albertstudent.

 

Bishop Joseph Charron of the Diocese of Des Moines announced theaction against the Rev. Phillip Hobt on Friday. Hobt, who has been withthe school since the fall of 1995, taught religion and delivered Massfor the junior high and high schools. The priest also delivered someweekend Masses at St. Patrick's and St. Peter's Catholic churches inCouncil Bluffs. Hobt is not allowed to function as a priest while onleave.

While such allegations are not unheard of and have beenmishandled in other dioceses in the past, we think the handling of thisunfortunate situation by both the diocese and local school officialshas been exemplary.

The allegation currently rests with theDiocesan Allegation Review Committee, which is composed primarily oflay volunteers who investigate the credibility of allegations of sexualabuse of minors by clergy. Pottawattamie County District Court JudgeKathleen Kilnoski chairs the committee, which also includes a childpsychologist, a police detective and an attorney.

Anne Cox, aspokeswoman for the Diocese of Des Moines, emphasized that the actionsof the diocese have not determined if Hobt is guilty or innocent, butfollow a process designed with the primary concern of protectingchildren.

St. Albert students were immediately told of thesituation and counselors were made available. Many are using them, St.Albert President Brian Osborne said. Parents were informed throughe-mail and a letter. In addition, the parish provided opportunities forparents and children to ask questions, and Bishop Charron asked that apress release be read at weekend Masses. The diocese went even further,encouraging people who think they might have been abused by clergy tocontact law enforcement and the office of the victim assistanceadvocate for the diocese in Des Moines.

There was a day whenallegations of this nature - and we would hasten to add they remainallegations, not proven fact - would have been hidden from the public.Instead, the Des Moines Diocese has adopted a procedure to protect thechildren it serves, inform the parents of those who entrust not onlythe education but also the well-being of their children to the dioceseand the rights of those who stand accused. The openness and theforthrightness of both the diocese and the school district are acrucial first step toward resolution of the allegation.

The diocese and the school are to be commended.