WASHINGTON – Earlier this week, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors released its first Annual Report on Church Policies and Procedures for Safeguarding. Bishop Barry C. Knestout of Richmond, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People issued a statement welcoming the information highlighted in the report.
“The Commission’s report underscores the importance that our Holy Father has placed on fighting the scourge of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church globally. I am grateful to the work of the Commission in its call for the Church to be in solidarity with survivors as we continue to build a culture of accountability, prevention, reconciliation and healing. The work of the Commission has been enriched through the leadership of its president, Cardinal Seán O’Malley who has brought his pastoral experience and insight in responding to the sexual abuse crisis in the Church in the United States.
“The painful experiences and the betrayal of trust suffered by survivors of abuse continuously calls us to fight the grave sin of sexual abuse and create and enforce effective policies to keep young people and vulnerable adults safe in the life and activity of the Church. Here in the United States, the Catholic Church has had a comprehensive set of child protection standards that dioceses and eparchies have committed to follow since 2002. But we are keenly aware that even one instance of sexual abuse is too many, and the Church’s commitment to transparency and accountability as emphasized in the report is central in our commitment to accompany survivors of abuse in their healing journey.
“May the survivors of clergy abuse, their families, and all those who accompany them in the path towards healing experience Christ’s profound love and healing grace.”
Read Catholic News Service’s story on the safeguarding report here.
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