ALASKA
Fairanks News-Miner
By MARY BETH SMETZER, Staff Writer
The bishop of the Fairbanks Catholic Diocese published an open letter in Sunday's newspaper apologizing to victims of sexual abuse by church representatives.
The Bishop Donald Kettler reaffirmed his promise to bring healing to those harmed by child sexual abuse and to update the diocese's efforts to prevent abuse from happening in the future.
"For any actions contrary to the mission of the Catholic Church by representatives of the Diocese of Fairbanks, I am sincerely sorry and will pray and work for the emotional and spiritual healing of those affected," Kettler wrote in the letter, which appeared in a full-page ad in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
In a telephone interview Monday, Kettler said he decided to write the letter, addressed to "the People living in the Diocese of Fairbanks," because the diocese now has something to tell people about educational efforts being made to prevent future abuse.