Statement by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge regarding actions of the Administrative Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Yesterday, the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement in which four actions were laid out as priorities of the U.S. Bishops as we prepare for our meeting in November. Among those actions are the establishment of much-needed protocols and third-party systems for reporting, investigating and restricting the activities of bishops accused of sexual misconduct, and the publishing of a Code of Conduct for bishops. The Administrative Committee also endorsed a full investigation of allegations related to Archbishop McCarrick by lay persons with appropriate expertise.

As is articulated in the statement, this is only the beginning. The decisions of the Administrative Committee form a solid foundation upon which the U.S. bishops will continue building. The reforms the Catholic Church in the United States began undertaking in 2002 have proven effective in protecting young people, but proper accountability of Church leadership, especially bishops, was not adequately represented in those reforms. I am encouraged to see these actions of the Administrative Committee and am ready to work with my brother Bishops to find solutions that will protect the faithful, increase our accountability, and also help to restore the trust and confidence of the faithful through our actions and guiding principles.

To read the statement of the Administrative Committee of the USCCB, please click on the button below.

Read the statement