The U.S. church still stands ready to help the victims of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy, according to Bishop Edward J. Burns of Juneau, Alaska, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Child and Youth Protection. “Victims of abuse have helped us see the errors of the past,” Bishop Burns said on Nov. 10. “It’s important that we assist them in the healing process.” He added: “We express our gratitude for the way they’ve called us to look at ourselves, and see that there is a need to change, to be contrite, and to assist in the healing process. It’s important that we continue to work together in order to be sure that there is a safe environment within the church, and that we never grow lax in assuring that all our children are safe.” The subject of sexual abuse by members of the clergy is being brought into the headlines again with the release of the new movie “Spotlight,” which deals with the Boston Globe’s investigation into abuse by Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Boston.

This article appears in November 30 2015.