Statement of the Archdiocese of Boston

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
At the invitation of the Holy Father Pope Benedict, Cardinal Sean
O'Malley today accompanied a small group of survivors of sexual abuse
by clergy to a meeting. The survivors, men and women from the
Archdiocese of Boston, prayed with the Holy Father, received his
consoling words and shared with him the pain of their experiences and
their hope for continued healing. The Holy Father assured survivors
that, as he stated in parts of his visit to the United States, there
is no place in the priesthood for those who would abuse children and
the Church is fully committed to do everything in its power to assure
the protection of children.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley said, "The meeting was a very moving
experience for all who participated. I shared with the Holy Father
that the sex abuse crisis has been a wound on the body of Christ and
that we look to him as our shepherd, representing Christ the Good
Shepherd in our midst. The Holy Father shared that he has come to the
United States with great sorrow in his heart over this crisis and has
been continuously praying for all who were affected."

Archdiocese of Boston
Terrence Donilon, 401-480-0171
Terrence_Donilon@rcab.org

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