Message from Bishop Burbidge on the June 14th USCCB Day of Prayer and Penance and the 15th Anniversary of the Child Protection Charter

With all people of good will, I invite you to join me and my brother bishops in prayer as we mark the fifteenth anniversary of the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Since 2002, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter has provided comprehensive procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy as well as guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability and actions to assist in preventing future acts of abuse.

For the past fifteen years, the Diocese of Arlington has worked to implement the Charter by building upon our prior efforts to ensure a culture of protection and healing for our children and the victim/survivors of child sexual abuse. The Office for the Protection of Children and Young People and our Victim Assistance ministry continue this necessary work of protection and healing.

As my brother bishops and I begin our Plenary Assembly in Indianapolis, we will mark this historic anniversary with a Day of Prayer and Penance, including the celebration of the Holy Mass. I will be remembering all victim/survivors, most especially those in our diocese, during the Mass which will take place on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral at 5 p.m. I ask you to join us in prayer and penance so that together we will continue to protect and safeguard all children from any form of neglect or abuse.