The national report on sexual abuse of minors released by U.S. Roman Catholic bishops Friday is certain to evoke a wide range of reactions. Many will be shocked by the scope of the problem within the church over the past 50 years. This unprecedented accounting can be expected to produce a sense of shame and guilt among many Catholics, and it should surprise no one if critics use the report to condemn the Catholic Church and its handling of the crisis.
As archbishop to nearly 1 million Catholics in Western Washington, however, the effect of these disclosures on victims weighs most heavily on my heart and mind. The study requested by the bishops and produced independently by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York was a necessary step to promote healing. It will, however, unquestionably become an occasion for victims and their families to experience their personal pain yet again.
I know personally the emotions that these revelations will awaken. As bishop of the Seattle Archdiocese for the past six years I have met privately to offer my apology on behalf of our church to more than 20 victims and their families. These meetings are never easy for the victims and invariably stir old memories that give rise to powerful feelings ranging from anger to grief.
I again offer my deepest regrets to these victims for past abuse by members of the clergy. I also acknowledge that remorse alone is an inadequate response. To those who have suffered abuse, to their families and the entire Western Washington community, I pledge to follow through on the commitment made by U.S. bishops in June of 2002 to address this problem fully and openly.
In the Archdiocese of Seattle I will continue to build on the policies established by my predecessors aimed at creating safe environments for every child and vulnerable adult in our care. Our efforts, first implemented in 1987, will continue to require that all allegations of abuse are reported to civil authorities and that any clergy member found guilty of abuse will be immediately and permanently removed from active ministry where they might have the opportunity to abuse again.
This promise, however, goes beyond a mere set of policies and procedures. It is a commitment to seek reconciliation with those who have been harmed in the past and a promise to re-establish trust in the church’s compassionate ministry for children, the poor, the elderly and all the afflicted and marginalized in our culture.
How will this pledge be fulfilled? The process has begun already with screening procedures for all candidates to the priesthood. It includes training requirements and background checks for all current and future church employees. And although the Seattle Archdiocese received commendations by independent auditors for compliance with strict child protection standards established by the bishops in 2002, we will continue to listen, learn and act on the best advice available to improve our prevention efforts and pastoral outreach.
As part of our commitment, we will continue reaching out to the community for expertise and guidance. The archdiocesan Policy Review Board — made up of social science professionals, legal experts and other community leaders — will continue to advise me to make our existing policies even better. Our independent Case Review Board will carry on its work to assess allegations of abuse and advise me whether those who have been accused should be removed from ministry. We will continue to operate a toll-free hotline so victims of sexual abuse can come forward, and the archdiocese will retain the services of a pastoral outreach coordinator so that all those who report abuse will receive compassionate care.
As I renew this longstanding commitment, I acknowledge with great sadness that no human effort can fully restore trust and reconcile some victims and their families with the church. To these individuals, I repeat my apology for the mistakes of the past and continue to pray that they will receive the peace denied them through no fault of their own.
In spite of my concern for the impact this national accounting will have on victims, I believe it was a necessary step toward reducing child sexual abuse that afflicts the church and society. My sincere hope is that the church’s intentional act of transparency will begin a broad public dialogue on this terrible crime.
However, our efforts will not be successful unless they give rise to action as well as discussion. If we meet with success, this painful public exercise will mark not an end but a beginning, and may well become a turning point in efforts to protect children. For the victims who carry the scars of this crime, no other response is sufficient.
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