Message from the bishop

July 24, 2003

Dear friends in Christ,

St. Paul reminds us of the need for reconciliation. There has never been a more crucial time in our history for purification and reconciliation.

The past year has been a trying time for the Church in America. Since the meeting of Bishops in Dallas last year, the Diocese of Sioux City has worked diligently to address the matter of sexual abuse at the hands of clergy. In today's issue of The Globe we share with you what has happened in the past year.

I encourage you to carefully read the contents of the new diocesan Code of Ethics and the Sexual Abuse Policy. Both of these documents are the result of countless hours of work by a group of dedicated volunteers who served on our Task Force. I extend my sincere thanks to each of them for this valuable ministry. These documents will be available in every parish within the next few months. We need to make sure that everyone involved in church ministry understands the expectations we have when dealing with God's children.

Paramount in our efforts is the outreach to anyone who may have been a victim of an abusive priest. I have met with a number of victims and each story is heartbreaking. To those victims, I say once again, "I am truly sorry for the pain we have caused." The Diocese of Sioux City will continue to work towards a pastoral response to each of them in the hope that healing will ensue.

Finally, allow me to share a message to our priests. Your work is highly valued by the people of the Diocese of Sioux City. For that reason we must all commit ourselves to lives of deeper, personal holiness. It is that holiness that underscores the credibility of a priestly life and ministry.

I express my deep gratitude to everyone who has assisted us in our efforts to face the challenges of this trying period in the life of our Church in the Unites States. God bless you for your ministry.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

†Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo
  Diocese of Sioux City