Cardinal Blase Cupich: Sexual Abuse Victims ‘Are the Priority’


Cardinal Blase Cupich says he is going to take more steps to help authorities and Catholics deal with the priest sexual abuse scandals and deep divisions within the Catholic Church.

“The church needs to get about the work of accountability,” Cupich told Chicago Tonight. “I’m going to make sure that everyone in the archdiocese is held accountable for protecting children.”

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He promised multiple steps towards that end. “I’m going to ask for a review of all of our procedures, our history, our files to see how we have dealt with questions of reaching out to victims in abuse,” Cupich said.

“I also want to make sure that we eradicate any residue in the church, life of the church of power or protection and privilege that allows people to think that they can do these things,” he added.

“Finally I want to adopt a model of healing victims that’s based, as I said in the [Chicago Tribune] editorial, on the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions that we have seen throughout the world. So this is a watershed moment and we have much to do in order to bring healing to those who are victim-survivors.”

“I’ve served in three different dioceses, and I have a solid record of making sure that victims are the priority,” Cupich said.

The cardinal also reports that the archdiocese has opened its books to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Cupich joins us in conversation.


Related stories:

Cardinal Cupich Responds to Explosive Letter

Bombshell Report Rocks Catholic Church

Cardinal Blase Cupich on the Separation of Immigrant Children


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