By: Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ
I want to convey a heartfelt and unconditional apology to the survivors of child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Oakland, both those with claims in the bankruptcy, as well as all other survivors.
I see the pain and destruction that was perpetrated by representatives of the Church. Like my predecessor bishops before me, I convey a sincere, complete, and unconditional apology. I am deeply sorry.
The evil of abuse you suffered was compounded by the fact that it was committed by those ordained as heralds of the Gospel and ministers of the sacraments. The exercise of priestly ministry involves a sacred trust intended to represent the holiness and goodness of Christ and the love Christ has for each person.
Using deception and manipulation, these evildoers exploited that sacred trust. Their heinous acts of sexual abuse inflicted untold harm on trusting and vulnerable children. It shattered their innocence.
The behavior of these abusers therefore represents the polar opposite of what any representative of the Church should be. Whenever word of this depravity reaches the consciousness of the faithful, it causes scandal and rightfully elicits anger, repulsion and anguish.
Although it is obvious, I must also clearly state here that the survivors of this evil are blameless, and completely innocent of responsibility for it.
Even while recognizing that the Church – like society in general – is made up of people who struggle with sin, human weakness and fallibility, the sin of child sexual abuse can have no place whatsoever among those who have a ministry role in the Catholic Church.
Stewards of the Church, such as myself and my co-workers, continue to work tirelessly to ensure this. The sin of abuse is diametrically opposed to the will of God and must be utterly rejected by those who aspire to follow Christ and serve the members of His Body.
For the suffering of each person who has been abused, I offer our deepest unconditional apology.
The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, S.J.
Bishop of Oakland