United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB),
This is a public letter about the sexual abuse of children and the cover-up and financial payments by Bishops. We feel the time for clerical apologies and promises of future 'truth' has passed. Many believe, in addition to the offending Priest, the real problem was Bishops who didn't report potential SERIOUS criminal activity... yet not a single Bishop has been sent to jail? How can that be?
The statement by Cardinal DiNardo, President of the USCCB, was disappointing. It just seemed like more of the same. We hope you will promote this list of actions to your fellow Bishops. Please show the public the Catholic Church hierarchy is truly sorry -- not via words, but actions.
1. Each Bishop make a public sworn statement regarding every allegation of child sexual abuse ever reported within their Diocese and supply it to the local DA's office. Some of these may result in criminal charges against the Bishop. If he chooses to "Plead the 5th against self-incrimination", that is his right, but he should voluntarily step down or be relieved. [Make arrangements to keep names private in public release.]
2. Each Bishop make a sworn public statement for their Diocese reporting the amount of each private settlement. [Names not needed, but all occurrences and the amount paid.]
3. Public Penance by ALL current Bishops in the United States - 30 days of jail at their local County Jail with no special treatment. They are not all guilty, but as a group they failed and we believe in the power of vicarious suffering to align ourselves with the love of Jesus Christ. It will be a dramatic occurrence and hopefully begin to turn public anger into some sympathy and forgiveness. Besides murder, most can think of no more serious crime than hiding/tolerating the sexual abuse of children. [Arranged with the local DA for the Bishop to perform a trivial violation and agree to a local jail 30 day sentence, not State Prison.]
Cardinal DiNardo talked about the need for truth. He is very correct. These public actions will be very painful, but we believe they will allow genuine healing to finally occur. WWJD?
