The nine-member review board functions as a confidential consultative body to Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, Kornfeld said. “The board is informed of all clergy allegations of sexual abuse of a minor reported to the diocese involving a diocesan priest or deacon. They advise him in his assessment of allegations of sexual abuse of minors and determination of suitability for ministry. They provide assistance in reviewing diocesan policies dealing with sexual abuse of minors and offering advice on all aspects of these cases whether retrospectively or prospectively.

“Perhaps the most important aspect of having a diocesan review board under both the Charter and in canon law is to assist the bishop with his responsibilities so that important decisions like those regarding clergy allegations of sexual abuse of a minor are not made alone by just the bishop, but are made with the help of a consultative body such as the diocesan review board,” Kornfeld said.

Members of the review board must be of “outstanding integrity and good judgment in full communion with the church,” according to the Charter as well as the diocesan Policy on Sexual Abuse of Minors by Church Personnel.

The Charter requires there be a minimum of five members with one member being an experienced pastor and one member an expert in the treatment of child sexual abuse. Once appointed, board members sign an oath of confidentiality and can serve initially for five years and may extend their service thereafter.

“We are very grateful to all of our review board members who donate their time, skills and abilities to perform the duties required knowing full well they may be asked to address matters that are uncomfortable and of a serious nature for all parties involved,” Kornfeld said. “Although the review board meets quarterly they may be asked to convene immediately, leaving jobs and other activities behind, to perform this important role for the diocese and they do, without complaint, no questions asked.

“Our review board is comprised of an outstanding group of individuals who offer their service to the diocese in a time of need,” she said. “The review board’s work may be understated and silent but its role is essential to safeguarding the protection of children and preserving the fundamental beliefs revealed in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”

Members of the Diocesan Review Board, as of March 1, are:

• Cliff Erwin, Springfield, member of St. Agnes Parish. Professionally, Erwin has degrees in teaching, counseling and educational administration. In 2001, he retired from the Illinois State Board of Education after 27 years of service. His background includes teaching at the high school, college and university levels; counseling students and adults; and serving as division administrator for quality assurance and compliance at ISBE. Currently, he teaches graduate workshops for Quincy University and works on an evaluation team for the Sangamon County Regional Office of Education. He is active in parish and community work and has experience as a professional writer. Erwin is married and the father of three children.

• Bryan Finn, Springfield, member Blessed Sacrament Parish. Professionally Finn is an administrator with SIU School of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine. Finn earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Illinois and a bachelor’s of science degree in education from the University of Wisconsin. Finn is married and the father of three children and an active community volunteer.

• Father Jeffery A. Grant, Ordained: May 29, 1982. Father Grant is pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield from 2011 to present. Father Grant’s priestly experience began as assistant pastor for St. Paul, Highland from 1982-1986; and then St. Aloysius, Springfield, 1986-1987. He was pstor of Christ the King, Greenup and St. Charles Borromeo, Casey from 1987-2003, parochial administrator of St. Mary, Marshall from 1988-1994; pastor, St. Mary Marshall, 1994-2003; pastor St. Patrick, Decatur from 2003-2007, as well as sacramental priest, 2003-2006, and priest moderator, 2006 for St. James, Decatur; pastor, for St. James, Decatur, from 2006-2007; and pastor, Ss. James and Patrick, Decatur, 2007-2011.

• Patrick E. Keen, Rochester, member of St. Jude Parish. Professionally Keen is a retired colonel from the Illinois State Police Division of Administration. His career with the Illinois State Police spanned 28 years serving in the positions of interim director, lieutenant colonel, Division of Operations and Division of Internal Investigation, deputy commander, Illinois State Police Academy, and interim/assist commander, Operational Services Command. Keen has a bachelor of arts, social justice professions from Sangamon State University and an associate’s in applied science, law enforcement administration from Lincoln Land Community College. Keen is married and the father of three children.

• David Kerwin, Springfield, member of St. Agnes Parish. Kerwin is an assistant vice-president of operations for the Hospital Sisters Health Systems. Professionally, he has been in hospital administration for over twenty years. He is a registered nurse and an addictions counselor and is a survivor of childhood clergy sexual abuse. He has a bachelor of nursing degree from the University of Illinois, Springfield. Kerwin is married with four children, two daughter-in-laws and one son-in-law and five grandchildren and is active in church and community.

• Robert Sgambelluri, Springfield, member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish. Professionally Sgambelluri is the chief Equal Employment Opportunity officer/lieutenant for the Illinois State Police where he has been employed since 1990 in various capacities. He earned a master’s of arts in human development counseling at the University of Illinois at Springfield and a bachelor’s of arts in criminology with a minor in philosophy and psychology from Purdue University. Sgambelluri is married, the father of three children and is active in church and community.

• Cheryl Swenny, MA, LCPC, Pana,  member of St. Patrick’s Parish. Professionally Swenny is a nationally certified school psychologist with 20 years of experience with Sangamon Area Special Education District. She is also a licensed clinical professional counselor and has been in private practice for 30 years in Rochester. Swenny is also a member of an internationally recognized feeding team at Memorial Medical Center. Swenny holds a bachelor degree in child psychology from Sangamon State University and a master’s in school psychology from Eastern Illinois University. Swenny is married, the mother of three children and grandmother of 11 grandchildren. She is very involved in her church and Sacred Heart School.

• Michael A. Thoele, Springfield, member of St. Joseph Parish. Professionally Thoele has over 35 years of experience as an educator in the private and public school sectors retiring from Auburn High School in 2007 as guidance counselor, psychology teacher, student council advisor and assistant senior class advisor. Mike earned a master’s degree in human development counseling from Sangamon State University in Springfield and attended Cardinal Glennon College, St. Louis, and the Diocesan Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Thoele is married and the father of two children.

• Mary Jo Wasser, Springfield, member of Blessed Sacrament Parish. Wasser is retired after 35 years in leadership positions at St. John’s Hospital including director of Mission, Spiritual Care and Samaritans at St. John’s Hospital where she was instrumental in the development of the hospital’s Adult Day Care, Hospice, Home Health and Third Age Living programs. Wasser began her career working in hospital administration in 1978. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and is a licensed registered nurse. Wasser is married and the mother of two children.