Prelate Offers Apology to Sexual Abuse Victims

The prelate of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia offered a public apology to the victims of sexual abuse committed by 35 diocesan priests over the last half century.

Less than a week after the archdiocese dismissed from its staff the last of several priests accused of molesting youths and amid a molestation scandal targeting the Catholic Church in Boston, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua issued a statement recognizing the “pain, humiliation and suffering” endured by the victims of sexual abuse.

“I take this opportunity to express to the victims of sexual abuse by priests, locally or elsewhere, my deepest apologies and heartfelt sorrow,” said the archbishop.