U.S. Bishops Voice Concern for Victims of Abuse, Thank Pope Benedict for Leadership

As we accompany Christ in His passion and death during this Holy Week, we stand with our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI in prayer for the victims of sexual abuse, for the entire Church and for the world.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - We present below the entire Statement released by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops expressing their deep concern for the victims and full support of Pope Benedict XVI and his leadership: Statement of the Bishops of the United States:

"On behalf of the Catholic bishops of the United States, we, the members of the Executive Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, write both to express our deep concern for those harmed by the crime and sin of sexual abuse by clergy and to express our profound gratitude for the assistance that Pope Benedict XVI has given us in our efforts to respond to victims, deal with perpetrators and to create safe environments for children. The recent emergence of more reports of sexual abuse by clergy saddens and angers the Church and causes us shame.  If there is anywhere that children should be safe, it should be in their homes and in the Church. "We know from our experience how Pope Benedict is deeply concerned for those who have been harmed by sexual abuse and how he has strengthened the Church´s response to victims and supported our efforts to deal with perpetrators. We continue to intensify our efforts to provide safe environments for children in our parishes and schools. Further, we work with others in our communities to address the prevalence of sexual abuse in the larger society. "One of the most touching moments of the Holy Father´s visit to the United States in 2008 was his private conversation with victims/survivors at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington. Pope Benedict heard firsthand how sexual abuse has devastated lives. The Holy Father spoke with each person and provided every one time to speak freely to him. They shared their painful experiences and he listened, often clasping their hands and responding tenderly and reassuringly.  "With the support of both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, we bishops have made a vigorous commitment to do everything in our power to prevent abuse from happening to children. We live out this commitment through the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which calls us to respond with compassion to victims/survivors, to work diligently to screen those working with children and young people in the Church, to provide child abuse awareness and prevention education, to report suspected abuse to civil law enforcement, and to account for our efforts to protect children and youth through an external annual national audit.

"As we accompany Christ in His passion and death during this Holy Week, we stand with our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI in prayer for the victims of sexual abuse, for the entire Church and for the world." Cardinal Francis George, OMI
Archbishop of Chicago
President Bishop Gerald Kicanas
Bishop of Tucson
Vice-President Bishop George Murry, SJ
Bishop of Youngstown
Secretary Archbishop Joseph Kurtz
Archbishop of Louisville
Treasurer Bishop Arthur Serratelli
Bishop of Paterson
Elected Membe

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