For Immediate Release: February 17, 2019

“The Holy See’s announcement, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, is a clear indicator that sexual abuse against a child or adult by those even at the highest level in the Church is intolerable. I pray this action by the Holy Father is one step to help victims of abuse move forward from the hurt and pain they have experienced.

My personal affection for the people of the Archdiocese of Washington goes hand in hand with my concern for victims and survivors, my shame and disappointment in the failures of church leadership and my commitment to restoring the trust of the faithful in the Diocese of Richmond. As I mentioned in my most recent letter to the faithful in our diocese earlier this week, “be assured I will do all in my power to restore your trust and to make our Church an authentic witness to the Gospel…..”

I ask you to pray for the healing of all victims and their families and to the victims who suffered abuse by Theodore McCarrick. I ask you also to keep in your prayers our Church and to continually ask God’s grace upon the clergy in our diocese who are serving with dignity, grace and integrity.

May we all heal and work unceasingly to answer the call for spiritual renewal in our Church.”

###