SPRINGFIELD (MA)
The Berkshire Eagle
August 18, 2018
By Haven Orecchio-Egresitz
In response to this week’s allegations of the sexual abuse of more than 1,000 children by clergy in Pennsylvania, the bishop of the Springfield Diocese has condemned “past failures” of the Catholic church and urged local victims to continue to reach out to his Office of Child and Youth Protection.
The strongly worded letter from Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, which was issued from his office Friday, outlined counseling and other services available through the diocese for victims of child sexual abuse.
“Since arriving as your bishop four years ago, I have had the somber task of meeting with victims of abuse and their family members,” Rozanski said. “While I cannot undo the great harm done to them, I can promise victims, their loved ones and the entire community that I remain firmly committed to rooting out this evil in our midst. The failure by any member of the clergy, religious or laity to strictly implement, as well as adhere to, our policies and guidelines will result in removal from ministry.”
A nearly 900-page Pennsylvania grand jury report released this week said that more than 300 predator priests had abused more than 1,000 children in six dioceses in the state. Forty-five of the priests named served in the Harrisburg Diocese.
The first paragraph of the nearly 900-page report said the grand jury knows the truth: that child sex abuse within the Catholic church happened everywhere.
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