From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda: 

There is, rightfully, much interest in the Vatican’s comprehensive and historic report on Theodore McCarrick, issued yesterday. I am grateful to the courageous abuse survivors who have come forward in this case and others. As we move forward in meaningful and positive ways, the Church needs to face the sins of the past, hold abusers (and those who covered for them) accountable, and make sure children and vulnerable adults are safe. While I am still in the process of closely examining the 440-page report, I am already grateful that the McCarrick report reminds us that no one, whether they be a minor or an adult, whether they be a layperson, seminarian, religious or priest, should have to endure abuse in the Church, and that no one in the Church is above the law.

I am grateful for the work that has been done in this Archdiocese and nationally to create safer environments and to involve the gifts of the laity in shaping policies and procedures for addressing allegations, ensuring accountability, and reestablishing trust. I will be asking our Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment, working with survivors and experts, to reexamine our protocols to see what more we need to do to remove any remaining obstacles to the reporting of abuse, in particular, abuse of adults who are vulnerable in some way, tragically one of the weaknesses sadly documented in the McCarrick report. I am hoping that the issuance of the report will also be a reminder for us to pray for all who have suffered abuse, as well as for Pope Francis and those collaborating with him to address this wound in our Church and in our world.