Richmond, Va., Jul 1, 2008 / 18:38 pm
Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo of the Diocese of Richmond was told that a diocesan charity planned to help a 16-year-old ward of the federal government obtain an abortion in January and was told he could not prevent the action.
Stephen Neill, spokesman for the Diocese of Richmond, told the Washington Times that Bishop DiLorenzo “was told erroneously that everything was in place and there was nothing he could do to stop it.”
“He is very apologetic about the whole episode,” Neill continued. “It is very awkward, it is very embarrassing. A human life was taken. He certainly has not taken it lightly in any way. He is clearly opposed to abortion."
Neill told the Washington Times that Bishop DiLorenzo was informed of the planned abortion on January 17, the day before the abortion was performed on the unborn child and the 16-year-old Guatemalan girl who was a foster care client of Commonwealth Catholic Charities of Richmond (CCR). CCR is incorporated under the diocese.