Statement from Bishop David J. Malloy

Our Church is again profoundly shocked by scandal this week. We first learned of allegations of grave sins involving Archbishop Theodore McCarrick earlier this month. Now, through a Grand Jury Report from six dioceses in the State of Pennsylvania, we learn of further grievous crimes and moral failures dating back some 70 years.

Since 2002, the Church in the United States has undertaken rigorous efforts to address the scandal of sexual abuse, particularly as it relates to minors. Since my consecration as Bishop of Rockford in 2012, I have written and spoken a number of times to detail those efforts. I have also taken the opportunity to apologize to the victims of sexual abuse within the Church.

I take the occasion of these horrific reports to apologize again. I apologize to any who have been victims of sexual abuse by the clergy. It still bears repeating that one instance of abuse, is too many.

Beyond this apology, I promise to you, the faithful people of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford to continue our stringent efforts to protect ALL people as well as the holiness of our bishops, priests and deacons. As your bishop, I will continue working with the lay leadership of this Diocese in carrying out practices and policies for Safe Environments in all our local churches and ministries. I will also continue to work with the leadership of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to bring about the changes called for by the president of the USCCB, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, that are necessary to heighten our efforts to provide safe environments in which we can confidently practice and live out our lives of faith.