Official reactions to
Pennsylvania report on clerical sex abuse
 |
| Cardinal Daniel DiNardo (foreground), President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) |
The President of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, with the Chairman of the USCCB's Committee
for the Protection of Children and Young People, has issued a statement
following the report of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury on sexual abuse by
individuals within the Church, and the sytematic cover-up of abuse.
By USCCB
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President
of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is hosting a series of
meetings this week responding to the broader issue of safe environments within
the Church. An update will be offered upon their conclusion.
In response to today's Pennsylvania grand jury report,
Cardinal DiNardo joins Bishop Timothy L. Doherty of Lafayette in Indiana, in
issuing the following joint statement. Bishop Doherty is Chairman for the
USCCB's Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People.
FULL STATEMENT
"The report of the Pennsylvania grand jury again
illustrates the pain of those who have been victims of the crime of sexual
abuse by individual members of our clergy, and by those who shielded abusers
and so facilitated an evil that continued for years or even decades. We are
grateful for the courage of the people who aided the investigation by sharing
their personal stories of abuse. As a body of bishops, we are shamed by and
sorry for the sins and omissions by Catholic priests and Catholic bishops.
"We are profoundly saddened each time we hear about the
harm caused as a result of abuse, at the hands of a clergyman of any rank. The
USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People and the office
of the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection will continue to offer avenues
to healing for those who have been abused. We are committed to work in
determined ways so that such abuse cannot happen.
"The Pennsylvania grand jury report covers a span of
more than 70 years. In 2002 the U.S. Catholic bishops adopted the Charter for
the Protection of Children and Young People, which commits us to respond
promptly and compassionately to victims, report the abuse of minors, remove
offenders and take ongoing action to prevent abuse. This Charter was revised
and updated in 2011 and again in 2018. We pledge to maintain transparency and
to provide for the permanent removal of offenders from ministry and to maintain
safe environments for everyone. All policies and procedures regarding training
and background check requirements are made publicly available by dioceses and
eparchies.
"We pray that all survivors of sexual abuse find
healing, comfort and strength in God's loving presence as the Church pledges to
continue to restore trust through accompaniment, communion, accountability and
justice.
Useful links:
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét