Twenty-four men, claiming they were sexually assaulted as teenage boys by the late Brother K. Paul McGlade and others, have filed lawsuits against the Diocese of Norwich and former Bishop Daniel Reilly. The Day reported on the lawsuit in a Nov. 29 article.

The men contend the assaults occurred at the Academy at Mount Saint John in Deep River from 1986 to 1996. The plaintiffs, who at the time of the alleged assaults ranged in age from 11 to 15, had been placed at the school by the state Department of Children and Families or the state court system.

At the time of publication of the article, diocesan spokesman Wayne Gignac said the diocese would not comment on the pending litigation, as is its policy.

However, in a letter distributed this weekend to parishioners in the diocese that covers the eastern third of Connecticut, Bishop Michael R. Cote responded to the scandal and news coverage of the lawsuit.

The letter:

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I am sure many of you have seen the reports regarding recent lawsuits filed against the Diocese for events that took place 20 years ago at Mount Saint John, a facility located in our diocese. These latest lawsuits reopen the pain and sorrow of a spiritual crisis sadly not yet fully eradicated. Please pray for all parties involved as this is still an open wound for so many of our brothers and sisters. While we can’t litigate cases either here or in the media, please know that the Diocese is cooperating fully as these cases make their way through the legal system.

There is no higher priority with the Diocese of Norwich than the protection and spiritual welfare of our young people. We continue to follow an absolute zero tolerance policy toward those who have sexually abused children.

Since 2002, and the adoption of the “Charter of the Protection of Children and Young People,” by the U.S. Bishops’ Conference, the Diocese has had its Safe Environments Program in place. Since that time, 17,200 diocesan clergy, employees and volunteers have been background screened and trained in Safe Environments. These measures are audited by a third-party on a regular basis.

Please know that my fellow bishops and I have taken one more focused step toward the creation of a plan that addresses the accountability of church administrators who failed to act decisively in protecting children. This plan will be discussed early in 2019 at an international meeting of bishops called for by Pope Francis. I will continue to keep you informed as new concrete measures take shape following that meeting.

The sexual abuse of children is a tragedy for all involved — victims, families, the People of God, and even perpetrators. The victims of abuse have suffered greatly, as have their families. Bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and lay people, have been deeply hurt and affected by the doubt and mistrust that, in many cases, have replaced trust and respect. The scandal has touched and hurt us all. We must all pray for healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation in our community, Church, and world.

I urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse by any member of the Catholic Church to report allegations to the Connecticut State Police, to local law enforcement, to the attorney general’s office and/or to the Diocesan Reporting Line 1-800-624-7407. It is only by working together that we, as the Church, will be able to ensure a safe future for all of God’s Children.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D.

Bishop of Norwich

Editor’s note: While Bishop Cote references the attorney general’s office, it is actually the Office of the Chief’s State’s Attorney that handles prosecution of criminal matters in Connecticut.