UNITED STATES
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) — A Pennsylvania grand jury report on clergy sexual abuse of hundreds of children over several decades and an Oscar win for “Spotlight,” about the Boston abuse scandal, “brought painful, but important, reminders that we must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect children from the scourge of abuse,” said Bishop Edward J. Burns of Juneau, Alaska.
The bishop made the comments in a March 3 statement as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People.
“We must never lose sight of the fact that every victim/survivor has personally experienced profound injury, suffering and betrayal,” Bishop Burns said.
He referred to the report released March 1 by Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane, which says that at least 50 priests or religious leaders in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania, were involved in the abuse and diocesan leaders systematically concealed the abuse to protect the church’s image.
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