SIOUX CITY, Iowa—On December 6, 2018, Bishop Nickless and others from the Diocese of Sioux City met with Attorney General Tom Miller in Des Moines, to discuss various issues connected with the continuing concerns regarding the child abuse crisis.  Due to the interest by various attorneys general around the country on this issue, the Iowa Bishops asked for the opportunity to visit with the attorney general to determine what he might expect of them and what assistance the attorney general could possibly provide.

Bishop Nickless explained to the Attorney General what the procedures were in the Diocese of Sioux City when an allegation is received.  He further explained the reforms stemming from the Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted in 2002 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States.  As a result there were only a couple of incidents of alleged abuse in the Diocese in the last 16 years.  The primary focus has been dealing with victims of abuse prior to 2002.

“I thought that the meeting was extremely helpful” stated Bishop Nickless.  “We acquainted the Attorney General with our efforts.  We look forward to working with him on this difficult issue.”

We ask that anyone who suspects sexual abuse by a member of the clergy to call law enforcement, and call Angie Mack, Victims Assistance Coordinator at Mercy Child Advocacy Center: 712-279-5610 or toll free at 1-866-435-4397. They help both victims who are minors and those who are adults and were victimized in their childhood by a member of the clergy.

If you have further questions, you are welcome to request information through the Contact Us portion of the Diocesan website: https://scdiocese.org/contact-us/

(contributed article Sioux City Dioceses)