BishopAccountability.org

A Letter from Cardinal Seán O’Malley and the Bishops of the Archdiocese of Boston

Archdiocese of Boston
November 11, 2018

https://www.stagnesreading.org/media/1/15/Cardinals%20Letter%20re%20scandal%20Nov%202018.pdf

[with pdf]

My Dear Friends,

The annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which takes place from November 12-15 in Baltimore, will be of particularly great importance. The revelations of this past summer concerning Archbishop McCarrick and the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report make clear that the Catholic Church in the United States, at every level, must do all that is possible to prevent the abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults in the Church and work to restore the trust lost through this scandal.

Since arriving in Boston in 2003, addressing the sexual abuse crisis has been my highest priority. Our policies and programs seek to guarantee victim/survivors the means to report claims of abuse and seek settlement, programs to provide professional care and support, and our full cooperation with law enforcement in the Commonwealth. In June of 2002 the USCCB embraced the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which commits all archdioceses to reporting any allegations of abuse of a minor to civil authorities, zero tolerance for the exercise of ministry by any member of the clergy against whom there is a credible allegation of abuse of a minor, and screenings and trainings for all Church personnel, clergy, lay employees and volunteers, who could have any ministry with a child or young person. Where the Charter has been enforced there have been dramatic improvements in safeguarding. Any bishop or religious superior who does not comply with the Charter should be removed.

 




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