Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., published the following message Aug. 16 on diocesan media and has asked that it be read during all Masses the weekend of Aug. 18 and 19:
As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I share with our faithful and clergy of the Diocese the revulsion, disgust and anger you feel at all the recent revelations of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy in past decades.
Our Diocese has not been spared its own experience of similar past abuses for which, as Bishop, I could never adequately apologize to those affected, to those who have been so profoundly harmed. Although measures at future prevention have been put in place and all reports of the sexual abuse of minors are turned over to prosecutors, that is little consolation to those who have been harmed by the Church and its clergy.
I offer my deepest, heartfelt apologies to them and to all the faithful and clergy whose faith has been shaken again. I pray daily for victims and survivors, and for all of you, that “nothing will separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, Our Lord (Romans 8: 39).”
Most Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop of Trenton