Washington D.C., Feb 16, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The release of two reports on sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy Feb. 27, “will be a very sobering and important milestone,” said the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
In a press release issued yesterday, Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville said he could not comment on the reports since he hasn’t seen them yet. But he wanted to underline that the bishops requested these studies so they could “understand as fully as possible what caused this terrible occurrence in the life of our community to make sure that it never happens again.”
The John Jay College of Criminal Justice conducted the first study on the nature and scope of the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The second report is from the National Review Board and will focus the issues for additional study.
"My heart goes out to all who have suffered,” said the bishop in his statement. “And I assure them especially that the bishops are committed to fully implementing the Dallas Charter and will continue to work with the Office of Child and Youth Protection and the National Review Board to reach out to victims and prevent such abuse from occurring in the future.”
He added that the USCCB is prepared to respond to the reports when they are released Feb. 27.