The New Jersey bishops said they will "remain vigilant to ensure that not one child will ever be abused on our watch," adding that the state's dioceses have conducted background checks on all personnel who have regular contact with minors.
"We thank law enforcement agencies, child protection advocates and victims themselves who have helped us move beyond compliance to creating the safest environments for learning and worship. We are deeply thankful for those who have joined our efforts to extend both healing and hope to every victim and their family. We renew our commitment to foster healing and seek forgiveness."
The bishops of New Jersey's dioceses urged "anyone who was abused by clergy to come forward to civil authorities."
Cardinal Seán O'Malley of Boston said that while many sexual offenders have answered for their crimes, there are areas in need of improvement.
"While many perpetrators have been held accountable in one way or another for their crimes, we have yet to establish clear and transparent systems of accountability and consequence for Church leadership whose failures have allowed these crimes to occur."
"The Church must embrace spiritual conversion and demand legal transparency and pastoral accountability for all who carry out its mission," he added. "The way we prepare priests, the way we exercise pastoral leadership and the way we cooperate with civil authorities; all these have to be consistently better than has been the case."
This will not be an easy task, admitted the cardinal. He said Catholics and others in society are frustrated with Church leadership. However, he promised there is still hope.
"I am not without hope and do not succumb to despondent acceptance that our failures cannot be corrected. As the Church we have the responsibility to help people not to lose hope, that was Jesus' message to all those he ministered to, especially in times of great trial."
"There is too much good in the Church and in our faith to lose hope. Often it is survivors who courageously teach us we cannot lose hope."