Bishop Barber statement on credibly accused clergy 2019

Feb. 18, 2019

Dear parishioners and friends of the Oakland Diocese,

With a heavy heart, I am publishing the names of 20 diocesan priests, 22 religious order priests, deacons and brothers and three priests from other dioceses who have worked in the Diocese of Oakland and have had credible accusations of sexual abuse of minors. The only acceptable number is “zero.” However, there are right now more than 120 faithful, active and dedicated priests serving our 500,000 Catholics in our two-county diocese. We are on duty daily to serve you.
Today, no priest or deacon who is in active ministry in the Diocese of Oakland has a credible allegation of abuse of a minor.

My first reaction in seeing the list of names of priests who have abused, is one of deep shame. These are monstrous crimes, committed by priests who are supposed to model virtue and grace, not sin and harm. By publishing this list, I am making an “Act of Contrition” on behalf of my Church.

I promised to publish a list, not to reopen the wounds of survivors, but to declare, “We have nothing to hide.” It is a “living list,” and will be updated as needed.
I hope this will help bring healing to those who have suffered. I renew our offer of counseling, therapy, support and outreach to survivors. The Diocese has worked with survivors of sexual abuse since the 1990s. In 2008, a healing garden was dedicated by Bishop Allen Vigneron on a plaza of the Cathedral of Christ the Light.

I have met with survivors personally. I have seen and heard their pain. I have witnessed the damage abusers have committed. A priest is supposed to be a man who leads people to God. But, like some physicians who use their skills to take away life through abortion or assisted suicide, so some priests have used their position of trust to take away faith and destroy a child’s innocence. This is so very wrong.

At the heart of this is SIN. Sin is real. It is a moral calamity. We as a Church, and as priests, need to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ. We need to listen to Him, not the Evil One. Sin is not the last word. We believe in Christ’s power to heal.

I pray the public acknowledgement of the sinful actions on the part of some priests will help many of us to find healing and hope, to restore our trust in the Church, and to repair the damage caused to the reputation of so many good priests. The needs of victims and survivors, and the protection of children and vulnerable adults is our first priority.

Most Reverend Michael Barber, SJ
Bishop of Oakland