My Dear friends in Christ,

The painful experience of the past few years has deepened and renewed our commitment to protect the vulnerable in our midst, and awakened our collective conscience to the widespread tragedy of child sexual abuse.  We have a responsibility to continue our leadership and to address the tragic reality of child sexual abuse that affects not only the church but the entire community.

Continuing our twenty year tradition of leadership in the Archdiocese of Seattle, it is now our obligation and responsibility to expand beyond compliance toward a renewed commitment to eradicate the tragedy of child sexual abuse in our society. With an expanded training program and updated policies, we teach potential victims how to speak-up and educate church ministers how to hear their pleas for help.

As we launch these expanded efforts, I urge you to join with the entire Church as we work to protect all of God’s children and to assure the safety of those we serve.

With warmest regards, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Alex J. Brunett
Archbishop of Seattle