A Statement from Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of Winona

Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona
December 16, 2013

http://www.dow.org/News/tabid/75/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/143/BISHOP-QUINNS-STATEMENT-REGARDING-DISCLOSURE.aspx

Earlier today, the Diocese of Winona released a list of 13 priest names associated with the John Jay Study commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in 2002 as well as one additional name representing a recent claim. The accompanying statement provided detailed information about the study and the Diocese of Winona’s release of the priest names. This statement can be found on our website at www.dow.org.

Over the past few decades, a number of clergy members in the Diocese of Winona sadly have been accused of violating the sacred trust placed in them by children, youth and their families and were accused of detestable crimes of sexual abuse. This hascaused insufferable harm to victims, their families, parishioners and the Church. For this I am truly sorry.

The Diocese of Winona has fully adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (“the Charter”), as promulgated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop, and is committed to combating the problems of sexual abuse, protecting the young and vulnerable, caring for the victims of abuse, and restoring trust and hope. We are committed to a process of transparency about sexual abuse by clergy and the disclosure of names of those with substantiated claims so that this will never occur again.

The Diocese of Winona works vigorously and has taken extraordinary measures to ensure that all of the schools, parishes and programs administered in the Diocese adhere to the Charter so that those entrusted to our care are safe.

Nearly 5,000 priests, deacons, lay employees, volunteers and seminarians complete the Virtus Safe Environment Program annually. This ongoing program strengthens the stringent policies and procedures that have been in place for over a decade now. Everyone is invited to examine these resources on our website www.dow.org and share with us ideas and ways that we can further strengthen our programs. If you have been harmed or know someone who has been harmed, the information needed to report the claim can be found on the site.

It is a difficult time for the Church in the Diocese of Winona. It is also a time of hope which presents an opportunity to heal and continue moving forward. Today, our parishes are vibrant and safer than ever before. Our priests, deacons, religious, volunteers, lay leaders and parishioners are of one heart. A heart fully committed to reflecting the love of Jesus Christ through everything we do in worship, faith formation, education and service.