U.S. Bishops Voice Concern for Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse, Thank Pope Benedict
for Leadership
(31 Mar 10 - RV) The U.S. bishops have voiced concern for victims of child sexual
abuse by clerics and praised Pope Benedict XVI for leadership in dealing with the
sin and crime of child sexual abuse.
The complete statement follows:
On
behalf of the Catholic bishops of the United States, we, the members of the Executive
Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, write both to express
our deep concern for those harmed by the crime and sin of sexual abuse by clergy and
to express our profound gratitude for the assistance that Pope Benedict XVI has given
us in our efforts to respond to victims, deal with perpetrators and to create safe
environments for children. The recent emergence of more reports of sexual abuse by
clergy saddens and angers the Church and causes us shame. If there is anywhere that
children should be safe, it should be in their homes and in the Church.
We
know from our experience how Pope Benedict is deeply concerned for those who have
been harmed by sexual abuse and how he has strengthened the Church’s response to victims
and supported our efforts to deal with perpetrators. We continue to intensify our
efforts to provide safe environments for children in our parishes and schools. Further,
we work with others in our communities to address the prevalence of sexual abuse in
the larger society.
One of the most touching moments of the Holy Father’s visit
to the United States in 2008 was his private conversation with victims/survivors at
the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington. Pope Benedict heard firsthand how sexual abuse
has devastated lives. The Holy Father spoke with each person and provided every one
time to speak freely to him. They shared their painful experiences and he listened,
often clasping their hands and responding tenderly and reassuringly.
With
the support of both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, we bishops have made
a vigorous commitment to do everything in our power to prevent abuse from happening
to children. We live out this commitment through the Charter for the Protection of
Children and Young People, which calls us to respond with compassion to victims/survivors,
to work diligently to screen those working with children and young people in the Church,
to provide child abuse awareness and prevention education, to report suspected abuse
to civil law enforcement, and to account for our efforts to protect children and youth
through an external annual national audit. As we accompany Christ in His passion
and death during this Holy Week, we stand with our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI in
prayer for the victims of sexual abuse, for the entire Church and for the world.
Cardinal
Francis George, OMI Archbishop of Chicago President Bishop Gerald Kicanas Bishop
of Tucson Vice-President Bishop George Murry, SJ Bishop of Youngstown Secretary Archbishop
Joseph Kurtz Archbishop of Louisville Treasurer Bishop Arthur Serratelli Bishop
of Paterson Elected Member