WASHINGTON (September 9, 2003) -- Below is the statement on the settlement by the Archdiocese of Boston with victims of sexual abuse by priests, issued by Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, September 9.

"This is an important agreement. It demonstrates that the Church is committed to working out just settlements which seek to meet, to the extent possible, the needs of people who have suffered terribly. I hope that all the victims will choose to participate in this global settlement.

"Certainly a monetary settlement is only part of the process of healing. That is why the Archdiocese will continue to offer psychological counseling to victims.

"These were among the cases that precipitated 20 months of soul-searching by the Church. We are visibly seeking to heal our wounds caused by sexual abuse and moving forward as promised in the Dallas Charter of 2002."

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