Bishop Apologizes for Priests’ Abuses
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OAKLAND — In an emotional ritual, the region’s Roman Catholic diocese made a public apology last week to victims of abuse by priests.
Bishop John S. Cummins joined fellow clergy, victims and their families for the service, during which the diocese expressed deep regret for the “grave evil” of sexual abuse.
“The failure of many of the leaders of the Catholic Church to confront this abuse head-on, to . . . remove priest abusers and other employees from active ministry or to take the side of the victims has been one of the more distressing aspects of the church’s recent history,” Cummins said.
About 130 people attended the service, held in a lodge hall because some victims did not want to enter a church. Several victims told their stories during the event.
To mark the millennial year, Pope John Paul II has asked forgiveness for Christians’ offenses throughout history, and other Catholic leaders have offered similar pleas for pardon.
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