Bishop welcomes Motu Proprio

Today’s announcement by the Holy See of a Motu Proprio by Pope Francis is welcome news. Mandating a consistent global response to this threat on children, young people and vulnerable adults is a major milestone, making it clear that any cover-up of child sexual abuse is never acceptable.

I look forward to the June plenary session of the Bishops of the United States when we discuss how we can implement the Motu Proprio. This will strengthen the work in our country which has been made possible by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which has effectively guided our efforts for seventeen years.

Allow me to paraphrase the thoughts of the president of our episcopal conference, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, by noting that the existing framework in the United States, including victim outreach, zero tolerance, reporting allegations to civil authorities, and lay expertise on review boards, among other measures, positions us to implement the Holy Father’s instructions. By embracing the painful experience of survivors and working on these new protections, let us pray we continue to grow into a stronger and purified Church.