Frequently Asked Questions

Learn how the Diocese of Arlington protects children, reports abuse and assists victims of sexual abuse

View our question and answer resource that answers many of the questions parishioners have asked over the past several weeks.

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Diocesan Press Releases

USCCB: U.S. Bishops Vote in Favor of Three Additional Bishop Accountability Measures During Baltimore General Assembly

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Today, U.S. Catholic Bishops have approved three additional measures to address abuse and bishop accountability during their annual Spring General Assembly in Baltimore. The measures expand upon the Pope Francis’s Motu proprio and the U.S. Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People...

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USCCB: U.S. Bishops’ Vote in Favor of Moving Forward on Third-Party System for Reporting Abuse Allegations Against Bishops

Thursday, June 13, 2019

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have taken three separate votes that will lead to the establishment of a third-party reporting system designed to receive confidentially, by phone or online, reports of possible violations by bishops per Pope Francis’s Vos estis lux mundi...

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Public Messages

Bishop Burbidge welcomes new universal norms issued by Pope Francis

With gratitude, I welcome Pope Francis’ Motu Proprio, Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the light of the world”), which demonstrates the pastoral concern of the entire Catholic Church for victims of sexual abuse and their families...

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Virginia Bishops’ Statement on Federal District Court Decision

In Falls Church Medical Center v. Oliver, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson’s decision now allows non-physicians to perform first trimester abortions in Virginia. Judge Hudson’s May 6, 2019 summary judgment opinion goes beyond Roe v. Wade and reveals the extreme measures that are being taken by pro-abortion groups to eliminate even common-sense restrictions on abortion....

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Arlington Catholic Herald

Cloistered Poor Clare Sister renews solemn vows, embraces her family

June 11, 2019

It has been 22 years since Poor Clare Sister Rose Marie of the Queen of Angels hugged her mom or the rest of her family.

On the solemnity of Pentecost, more than 120 friends and family gathered to greet Sister Rose Marie at the Poor Clare Monastery of Mary, Mother of the Church in Alexandria as she renewed her solemn vows June 9. It was the first time she hugged many of her nieces and nephews...

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Bishop urges newly confirmed to follow Christ, no matter the cost

Arlington Catholic Herald | June 10, 2019

On the Solemnity of Pentecost — the birthday of the church — Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde and a standing-room only crowd at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington welcomed more than 190 newly confirmed Catholics from throughout the diocese into the church.