Archbishop Sartain: Bishops 'must be held accountable' for shielding abusers
- Written by Northwest Catholic
- Published in Local
SEATTLE – In light of allegations against Archbishop Theodore McCarrick and the release this week of a grand jury report implicating hundreds of priests in Pennsylvania, Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain expressed “shame and remorse” for “the tragedy of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.”
“The sexual abuse of a minor is an intrinsic moral evil and a crime,” Archbishop Sartain said in a statement released August 17. “Anyone responsible for such an act or for shielding those who do, including bishops and other Church leaders, must be held accountable for their actions.”
He added, “I join with other bishops from throughout Washington and the United States in expressing our sincere shame and remorse for the incredible harm these crimes have caused the victims and their families.”
The archbishop urged people to report any suspected abuse by church personnel to local law enforcement.
Read the full statement, in English and Spanish, below.
Related items
-
Response to abuse crisis looms large at bishops’ spring meeting
-
Bishops to consider 10-point plan to acknowledge ‘episcopal commitments’
-
Proposed protocol outlines restrictions on bishops facing claim of abuse
-
Large crowd welcomes Archbishop Etienne as coadjutor at Mass of Reception
-
Former secretary says officials knew McCarrick’s ministry was restricted