In 2002, when news was first breaking in Boston about the evil and horrific acts of sexual abuse that occurred in the Church, as Catholics, we may have thought, “this is an isolated incident.” But the years, the decades, that have followed have shown us that it was not isolated. While the knowledge that sexual abuse of minors occurred here in our own Diocese is difficult to understand, we must never forget the painful experience those survivors of abuse have faced. Many of these women and men continue to suffer from the harm, the evil, done to them.

I stand ready to do my part in accompanying and assisting survivors, and I want to reaffirm the commitment of the Church in Harrisburg to do all that we can to provide care and support for survivors of sexual abuse by clergy; to ensure that policies and procedures are in place to protect children; to work with law enforcement to respond to allegations of sexual abuse; and to have these policies regularly reviewed and strengthen as needed.

I also commit to the survivors in our Diocese to demonstrate through actions, not just words, our commitment to walk with you as you strive for healing. The abuse you endured was certainly not your fault.

While we seek forgiveness in the name of our Church, I encourage survivors to come forward so that their healing may begin.

– Bishop Timothy Senior