Diocesan Responses on Clergy Abuse Diocesan ResponsesFather Terry Specht found not guilty of sexual abuse of a minor (Oct. 5, 2022)Statement regarding Fr. Robert Buchmeier of the Archdiocese of Washington (Oct. 5, 2022)Fall River Diocese issues statement on Fr. Michael Kuhn (Aug. 25, 2022)Franciscan Friars announce Fr. David Morrier has pled guilty to sexual battery (Mar. 14, 2022)Statement by the Diocese of Arlington regarding Perez-Alcala and Secular Institute Stabat Mater (Nov. 3, 2021)St. John Neumann Former Employee in Police Custody (Sept. 25, 2021)St. Joseph Parish Volunteer Arrested (Sept. 17, 2021)Deceased priests found credible accused (July 16, 2021)Allegation against deceased priest found credible (Mar. 19, 2020)Catholic Diocese of Arlington responds to announcement that former Capuchin priest is charged with abuse (Mar. 17, 2020)Youth Apostles priest found not credibly accused of abuse by Fall River Diocese (Nov. 25, 2019)Bishop Burbidge issues letter to St. Andrew the Apostle Church regarding Fr. Christopher Mould (Oct. 19, 2019)Bishop Burbidge addresses outcome of investigation regarding Fr. Ronald Escalante (Sept. 28, 2019)Diocesan Review Board concludes Father Michael Duesterhaus not credibly accused of child sexual abuse (July 24, 2019)Diocese of Arlington Responds to WJLA storyon the late Msgr. William Reinecke (July 19, 2019)Bishop Burbidge welcomes new universal norms issued by Pope Francis (May 9, 2019)Bishop Burbidge issues another letter to parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Parish regarding Fr. Ronald Escalante (May 4, 2019)Bishop Burbidge issues letter to faithful of St. Francis de Sales Parish regarding Fr. Ronald Escalante (Mar. 8, 2019)Response to Valerie Cury's article, "New Revelations in the Father Escalante Saga" published in the Blue Ridge Leader on April 17, 2019 (Apr. 23, 2019)Priests Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Minor (Feb. 13, 2019)Statement by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge on Former Archbishop McCarrick in Response to Decree by the Holy SeeNotice Regarding Fr. William Erbacher (Dec. 21, 2018)Diocese of Arlington priest, serving in Purcellville, placed on leave (Dec. 7, 2018)Bishop Burbidge discusses his reaction to a surprising Monday announcement from the Holy See and the annual Fall General Assembly where U.S. Bishops almost exclusively focused on the sexual abuse crisis and stronger accountability for bishops (on the Walk Humbly Podcast) (Nov. 16, 2018)Bishop Burbidge shares his thoughts and response to the Virginia Attorney General investigation (on the Walk Humbly podcast) (Oct. 26, 2018)Joint Statement from Bishop Michael F. Burbidge (Diocese of Arlington) and Bishop Barry C. Knestout (Diocese of Richmond) in Response to the Attorney General's Investigation (in English and Spanish) (Oct. 24, 2018)Diocese of Fall River priest, serving in Arlington Diocese, placed on leave (Oct. 23, 2018)An overview of Bishop Burbidge's continued response to the sexual abuse crisis (Sept. 21, 2018)Statement by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge regarding actions of the Administrative Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (Sept. 20, 2018)Bishop Burbidge sends 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 sends them for formation. (Sept. 19, 2018)Allegation notice - Gary Nuhn (Original notice Sept. 18, 2018; updated/corrected at 4:22 pm on Sept 19, 2018)Bishop Burbidge offers his thoughts on Church leadership from the Vatican's recent meeting with Pope Francis to discuss the sex abuse crisis including how to keep bishops more accountable (on the Walk Humbly Podcast) (Sept. 17, 2018)Bishop Burbidge met and consulted with the Diocesan Review Board. He is 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 the Diocese. (Sept. 10, 2018)View all diocesan podcasts and show notes regarding the sex abuse scandal, the Pennsylvania grand jury report, and Archbishop Theodore McCarrick (Sept. 7, 2018)Local television stations WDVM NBC 25 interviewed Fr. Thomas Ferguson, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, regarding the current crisis facing the Church. (Sept. 6, 2018)Notice of Ryan T. Pick (Original notice Aug. 31, 2018; updated at 12 p.m. on Sept 24, 2018)Bishop Burbidge expresses his support for an investigation into the allegations Archbishop Vigano made in an 11-page letter (on the Walk Humbly Podcast) (Aug. 30, 2018)Local television stations WJLA ABC 7and WRC-TV NBC4 interviewed Bishop Burbidge who offered his thoughts about the current crisis, his message to victims, and what he thought needed to change in order to regain the confidence of the Catholic faithful. (Aug. 29, 2018)Bishop Burbidge's Homily for Mass for All Victims of Sexual Abuse and Their Continued Healing (Aug. 26, 2018)Notice regarding Mr. Kenneth Cassity (Aug. 25. 2018)Letter to the Faithful from Bishop Burbidge (Aug. 20, 2018)In light of the Pennsylvania grand jury report, Bishop Burbidge discusses what he would do if he received an allegation of sexual abuse (on the Walk Humbly Podcast) (Aug. 17, 2018)Statement regarding Diocese of Harrisburg priest accused of sexual abuse (Aug. 9, 2018)Bishop Burbidge addresses what must change in light of the allegations against Archbishop McCarrick (on the Walk Humbly Podcast) (Aug. 3, 2018)Statement by Bishop Burbidge on accusations related to Archbishop Theodore McCarrick (Aug. 1, 2018)Initial response to news that allegations of sexual abuse against then-Cardinal McCarrick were found to be “credible and substantiated" by the Archdiocese of New York (on the Walk Humbly Podcast) (June 22, 2018)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.During a recent deanery meeting with priests, Bishop Burbidge focused on the issues facing our Church and discussed ways we can do even more to protect the faithful and heal victims. He was most grateful for the pastoral and spiritual insights conveyed to him at this gathering. He looks forward to the 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.Bishop Burbidge met with victims of sexual abuse through individual appointments and through an ongoing support group program facilitated by the Diocese.Bishop Burbidge has scheduled meetings with 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 be inviting 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.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.Priest placed on administrative leave (Original notice Mar. 14, 2018; updated Jan. 17, 2019) Vatican and USCCB responsesUSCCB: U.S. Bishops Vote in Favor of Three Additional Bishop Accountability Measures During Baltimore General Assembly (June 13, 2019)USCCB: U.S. Bishops' Vote in Favor of Moving Forward on Third-Party System for Reporting Abuse Allegations Against Bishops (June 13, 2019)USCCB: President of U.S. Bishops Conference Appoints Three New Members of National Review Board for the Chapter for Protection of Children and Young People (June 11, 2019)USCCB: U.S. Bishops To Meet June 11-14 In Baltimore; Assembly To Be Live Streamed, New Prevention Website Launched (June 7, 2019)USCCB: U.S. Bishops Release 2018 Annual Report on the Protection of Children and Young People (May 31, 2019)USCCB: President of U.S. Bishops' Conference Issues Statement on Pope Francis's Motu Proprio Ordering Worldwide Response to the Evil of Sexual Abuse (May 9, 2019)Vatican: Pope Francis issues Apostolic Letter regarding new norms for the whole Church on sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults, cover up (May 9, 2019)USCCB: President of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Issues Statement at Close of Meeting on the Protection of Minors in the Church (Feb. 24, 2019)USCCB: President of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Issues Statement on Theodore McCarrick in Response to Judgement by the Holy See (Feb. 16, 2019)Audience of the Holy Father with the Roman Curia (Dec. 21, 2018)Australian Cardinal George Pell found guilty of sex abuse (Catholic News Service) (Dec. 13, 2018)USCCB: President of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Makes Statement at Close of Public Sessions; Fall General Assembly, Baltimore Nov. 12-14 (Nov. 14, 2018)USCCB: National Review Board Urges Need to Broaden the Scope of the Charter to Include Bishops; Lay Panel Urges Reform to Improve Transparency and Enhance Accountability (Nov. 13, 2018)USCCB: President of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Delivers Opening Address at Start of 2018 General Assembly in Baltimore, Nov. 12-14 (Nov. 12, 2018)USCCB VIDEO: US Bishops Gather to Discuss Concrete Measures in Response to Abuse Crisis (Nov. 12-14, 2018)USCCB: U.S. Bishops To Meet Nov. 12-14 in Baltimore; Will Address Abuse Crisis and Action Items; Assembly to be Live Streamed, Live Tweeted, Carried Via Satellite (Oct. 29, 2018)USCCB: U.S. Bishops Will Gather for Seven Days of Prayer and Reflection at Invitation of Pope Francis (Oct. 23, 2018)USCCB: President of U.S. Bishops' Conference Welcomes Steps Holy See is Taking to Ensure Faithful are Protected from the Evil of Sexual Abuse (Oct. 7, 2018)USCCB: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Administrative Committee Statement on Sex Abuse Scandals; Committee Releases Actions to be Taken Within Its Authority (Sept. 19, 2018)President of U.S. Bishops' Conference Issues Statement Following Meeting with Pope Francis (Sept. 13, 2018)Pope to convene world meeting on abuse prevention with bishops' leaders (Sept. 12, 2018)Statement from the National Review Board Calls for Lay Leadership Amid Sexual Abuse Crisis (Aug. 28, 2018)Cardinal O'Malley calls for consequences for Church leadership (Aug. 21, 2018)USCCB: President of U.S. Bishops' Conference Response to Pope Francis' Letter to the People of God (Aug. 20, 2018)Letter of the Holy Father Francis to the People of God (Aug. 20, 2018)Vatican responds to Pennsylvania Grand Jury abuse report (Vatican News) (Aug. 16, 2018)President of U.S. Bishops' Conference Announces Effort That Will Involve Laity, Experts (Aug. 16, 2018)President of U.S. Bishops' Conference and Committee Chairman Response to Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report (Aug. 14, 2018)President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Issues Statement on Course of Action Responding to Moral Failures of Judgement on the Part of Church Leaders (Aug. 1, 2018)President of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Statement on Cardinal Theodore McCarrick Resignation from College of Cardinals (July 28, 2018)USCCB: Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick from College of Cardinals (July 28, 2018)
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