Cardinal Donald Wuerl’s Statement on Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Upon the release of Pennsylvania’s Report of the 40th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury (“Report”), Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, issued the following statement:

“As I have made clear throughout my more than 30 years as a bishop, the sexual abuse of children by some members of the Catholic Church is a terrible tragedy, and the Church can never express enough our deep sorrow and contrition for the abuse, and for the failure to respond promptly and completely. While I understand this Report may be critical of some of my actions, I believe the Report confirms that I acted with diligence, with concern for the victims and to prevent future acts of abuse. I sincerely hope that a just assessment of my actions, past and present, and my continuing commitment to the protection of children will dispel any notions otherwise made by this report.”

For additional background the following documents are available with this release:

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