Joe.My.God. LGBT News
Via press release from the Archbishop of Baltimore:
Today’s report from the Maryland Attorney General is first and foremost a sad and painful reminder of the tremendous harm caused to innocent children and young people by some ministers of the Church. The detailed accounts of abuse are shocking and soul searing. It is difficult for most to imagine that such evil acts could have actually occurred. For victim-survivors everywhere, they know the hard truth: These evil acts did occur.
To all survivors, I offer my most earnest apology on behalf of the Archdiocese and pledge my continued solidarity and support for your healing. We hear you. We believe you and your courageous voices have made a difference. Through difficult, although deeply meaningful, meetings, I have experienced your brave witness, and the power of your words and testimony compel my personal conviction to ensure we do everything possible to prevent future incidents of abuse and promote healing for survivors.
The report details a reprehensible time in the history of this Archdiocese, a time that will not be covered up, ignored or forgotten. Acknowledgment, I know, is of utmost importance. My immediate predecessors and I have offered unyielding public acknowledgment of the horrors of this era. In 2002, the Archdiocese publicly released the names of clergy members credibly accused of committing child sexual abuse, dating back to the 1930s. We continue to make public the names of abusers as we learn about them and as new accusations are reported.
Make no mistake, however: today’s strong record of protection and transparency does not excuse past failings that have led to the lasting spiritual, psychological and emotional harm victim-survivors have endured.
We continue to improve and build on the changes and accountability that define today’s Archdiocese. Another key turning point was in 1993 – 30 years ago – when the Archdiocese began reporting all allegations of abuse to law enforcement. Even if law enforcement does not press charges, the Archdiocese still takes seriously our own commitment to zero tolerance by permanently removing from ministry anyone credibly accused of child sexual abuse.
From the office of the Archbishop:https://t.co/RSGctAyjwr
— Archdiocese of Baltimore (@archbalt) April 5, 2023
“The report is nearly 500 pages long and tells how 158 clergy sexually abused and tortured more than 600 children and young adults over an 80-year period beginning in the 1940s.” https://t.co/kiVOhmOz7r
— Vincent McDermott (@vincemcdermott) April 5, 2023