Firstly, let me say that my heart and my prayers (and I trust yours) go out to all victims of sexual abuse that were revealed in the Grand Jury report from Pennsylvania last week.  Any and all who have suffered as the result of abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy or anyone, need help and healing from wounds that are deep and long-lasting.  I echo the response of Pope Francis, including his call for accountability on the part of the offending parties and the hierarchy, and anyone else who were (or who are) not taking steps to hold perpetrators of such crimes against God and humanity responsible - steps that could, hopefully, stop them from offending again.  I do also want to say in the face of all the negative publicity and conclusions reached by the Pennsylvania Grand Jury and some in the press, that the United States Conference of Bishops adopted "The Charter For the Protection of Children and Young People" in 2002 which set in motion, procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by the clergy and other Church personnel.  It also includes guidelines for Reconciliation, healing, accountability and prevention of future acts of abuse.  I encourage you to go to usccb.org and enter in the search box "The Charter For . . ." and see how strongly the bishops have come out to protect minors from abuse at the hands of clergy or anyone.  Vigorous mandatory training for clergy and other church personnel, especially those who work with minors, (that includes criminal background checks) is designed to identify those whose past history would immediately disqualify them from working with minors.  It also helps more people be alert to signs of grooming or abuse itself.  This training has been in place in our diocese and throughout the country for many years and has provided verifiable results.  In this, the Catholic Church in the United States IS determined to keep our young people safe from all sexual predators who would do them harm and make everyone aware that such behavior should, AND HOPEFULLY ALWAYS WILL be met with swift action and severe consequences whether the offender is a clergyman or anyone else.  The fact that only two cases of clergy abuse of minors since 2002 were uncovered by this grand jury and both were handled properly by church authorities, speaks loudly in Pennsylvania and in other places, that the Catholic bishops of today and the Church as a whole, are determined in an ongoing way to protect God's children and hold accountable any and all who offend.  While statistics say that only 1% of all Catholic clergy have been shown to be guilty of these terrible crimes (though this is indeed a tragedy for all those who were victimized and obviously affects their faith and the faith of some believers.  I ask your prayers for the 99% of priests who, though sinners as we all are, continue to be faithful in their ministry to children and all of God's people for their benefit and for the glory of God.