This morning, the Vatican released the “McCarrick Report” – detailing the Vatican’s knowledge, decision-making, and investigation related to former Cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick from the years of 1930 to 2017. Bishop Jaime Soto released the following statement on this report:
"I welcome today’s report from the Holy See and thank Pope Francis for examining this matter thoroughly. The report serves as a sober reminder: I must continue to learn how to make our schools, churches and programs truly safe environments.
"We cannot hope to change the future unless we are willing to confront the past fully and honestly. This report is an important step for the Church in facing the sins of the past and the torment inflicted on innocent souls.
"Although the report focuses on former Archbishop McCarrick, it reveals a hard truth about the sin of clergy sexual abuse. The painful legacy of this sin involves more than priests and the promise of celibacy. Men who were responsible for holding priests accountable have themselves sinned. Their inaction compounded the pain of victims.
"The report also serves as a call for me to continue the work begun caring for the victims of clergy sexual abuse and preventing these sins from happening again. I commit myself to continually seek ways for strengthening and improving the safeguards in place to protect the young and the vulnerable. Building safe environments for families is an enduring duty to those who have placed their trust in me.
"I ask all the Faithful as well as my brother priests and deacons to join me in prayer for those who have suffered sexual abuse. May God’s healing mercy embrace them and give them peace."
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Learn More
Addressing the wounds inflicted by clergy abuse in our diocese: https://www.scd.org/clergyabuse
Report sexual abuse by a bishop: https://reportbishopabuse.org/