Metuchen, N.J., Aug 9, 2018 / 16:01 pm
In light of a scandal involving one of its former bishops, Theodore McCarrick, the Diocese of Metuchen is working to establish an independent avenue for victims to report abuse conducted by Church leaders, including bishops.
"I continue to be saddened and ashamed... by reports of the abhorrent events we have been learning about in regard to Archbishop McCarrick - I know you must be, too. Our efforts to evangelize, and spread the Good News of Christ, have been hobbled by these atrocities," Bishop James Checchio of Metuchen said in an Aug. 7 letter.
"I am praying for all those who have been hurt and praying that God's mercy will bring healing and consolation," he stated. "I am also working to address how we can ensure that similar abuses, especially of seminarians or young priests, would not happen again, particularly by those in positions of authority over them."
Archbishop McCarrick was Bishop of Metuchen from 1982 to 1986.