GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A letter from Bishop David Ricken in response to sex abuse accusations against members of the Catholic Church was read to parishioners around our area on Sunday.
Ricken’s letter is in regard to the recent public accusations against Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, and the release of the grand jury report from the State of Pennsylvania.
Ricken started his letter stating he was writing Catholics with a “very, very heavy heart.”
“These reports sicken me and leave me with a deep sense of anger and shame for what has been inflicted on the People of God in the past by certain shepherds of the flock, both the direct offenders against children and the purported cover-up engaged in by some bishops,” wrote Ricken.
Ricken went on to explain there is an Independent Review Board for the Diocese of Green Bay that oversees the process for anyone who comes forward with any complaint of possible sexual abuse.
“As bishops, we believe that there will be decisive actions regarding significant accountability and reform that must be taken in light of recent events and reports,” wrote Ricken.
“As the details of these actions emerge, for my part, I am personally committed to prayer and atonement to assist in the necessary reform of the Church.”
A lack of action is one of the criticism’s Pope Francis is hearing in reaction to a letter he released on Monday about the grand jury report from Pennsylvania.
Alice Hodek, a local volunteer for SNAP, talked to FOX 11 and is among those calling for action.
“While I’m heartened by what the Pope has said, I take it all with a grain of salt, because unless there is something real and measurable, I don’t believe it.”
FOX 11 wanted to talk with someone from the Diocese of Green Bay about Pope Francis’ letter.
A spokesperson says they had no one available Monday.
