By: Billy Atwell,
Chief Communications Officer
For Immediate
Release
September 21, 2018
As many are aware,
the Diocese of Arlington has been actively working to address many of the
compelling questions that have arisen following the allegations related to
Archbishop Theodore McCarrick and the revelations of sexual abuse and negligence
that emerged from the Pennsylvania grand jury report. Using numerous platforms,
Bishop Burbidge has addressed
these issues on many occasions over the past several months and restated his
commitment to assist in the healing of all victims of sexual abuse.
While much has
been done, more is needed. Many of the faithful lack trust in the Church’s
leadership and rightfully want transparency regarding clergy who have been
credibly accused of sexual abuse against a minor.
In a measure of due diligence, Bishop
Burbidge commissioned a review of files related to priests and deacons who have
served, and are serving, in our Diocese. At the conclusion of this review, a
list of all priests and deacons (including those no longer in ministry) who
have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor will be published.
Our prayer is that
publishing the names of those credibly accused of sexual abuse against minors
will bring victims healing and consolation in the Lord and inspire those who
have not yet come forward to tell their story. It is our hope that this
decision will help assure the faithful of the Diocese’s commitment to
accountability.
Similar file
reviews have been conducted in the past. In 2003, in connection with
the John Jay Study, the Diocese conducted a thorough review of the files of all
priests, going back to the establishment of the Diocese, and reported the
number of credible accusations to that study.
In 2011, the Diocese employed an independent
investigator to conduct a similar review of the files of all priests active in
the Diocese to ensure that no past allegations had been overlooked, that
current diocesan leadership was aware of all relevant matters, and that
appropriate reports had been made to law enforcement in every instance.
This decision is
by no means the first action the Diocese or Bishop Burbidge has taken following
allegations of sexual abuse and negligence from the grand jury report in
Pennsylvania and the credible and substantiated allegations regarding
Archbishop McCarrick. Here is a summary of some of those actions (all public
statements are available at ArlingtonDiocese.org/ChildProtection):
- Bishop
Burbidge continues to meet with victims of sexual abuse through individual
appointments and through an ongoing support group program facilitated by the
Diocese.
- Prior
to beginning a new year of formation, Bishop Burbidge met with seminarians to
express his deep commitment to their well-being as they continue their
vocational discernment. They had a frank, open and respectful dialogue
regarding the critical issues within our Church.
- On
September 19, Bishop Burbidge sent a letter to all parents of seminarians,
restating his commitment to the protection of their sons and expressing his
confidence in the seminaries to which the Diocese send them for formation.
- A letter from Bishop Burbidge to the Catholic faithful
was disseminated through the parishes the weekend of August 25-26.
- Local
television stations interviewed Bishop Burbidge and other diocesan officials, offering
their thoughts about the current crisis, the Bishop’s message to victims, and
what the Diocese believes needs to change in order to regain the confidence of
the Catholic faithful.
- In episodes
11,
15,
16,
17,
and 18
of the Walk
Humbly Podcast, Bishop Burbidge has addressed the public scandals, offered his
continued support to victims, and explained the task ahead for the USCCB in
ensuring greater accountability for bishops in their personal behavior and
their handling of allegations of sexual abuse. (Yesterday, the USCCB’s
Administrative Committee announced actions it will take: http://www.usccb.org/news/2018/18-152.cfm)
- During
a recent deanery meeting with priests, Bishop Burbidge focused on the issues
facing our Church and discussed ways even more can be done to protect the
faithful and help victims heal. He has six remaining deanery meetings with
priests, as well as our upcoming Priest Study Day, which will allow time to
join in prayer and to discuss these critical matters.
- Meetings
are scheduled with Bishop Burbidge and our deacons and consecrated women
religious, during which he will seek their feedback and input regarding what we
have done so far and what should be done going forward.
- Bishop
Burbidge will invite lay parish leaders to discuss the sex abuse crisis and its
impact on our parishes and schools, while seeking advice for how we move
forward as a diocese.
- On
September 10, Bishop Burbidge met and consulted with the Diocesan
Review Board. He is ever grateful to the lay men and women, priests, and
consecrated religious who serve on this board for the expertise and wisdom they
offer to him and our Diocese.
- At Bishop
Burbidge’s direction, the Office of Divine Worship offered liturgical resources
and suggestions to parishes, inviting the faithful to fervent prayer for all
victims and for our Church.
Going forward, the
Diocese will continue to communicate all the steps taken to protect the
vulnerable and to comfort those who have suffered such unspeakable crimes. In
the coming weeks, the Diocese will routinely publish articles about the various
aspects of our Child Protection and Victim Assistance Programs.
The Diocese asks
all people of good will to offer their prayers that the Church will be purified
and made stronger by acknowledging the sad truth of what has occurred, recommitting
to greater accountability, and continuing to work for the good of God’s people
in every respect.