An archbishop apologizes

Canadian Archbishop Marc Ouellet

Here's an excerpt from a Reuters report on a statement made by Archbishop Ouellet in Ottawa, Canada. I have been unable to find Ouellet's full statement which, I understand, was printed in French language newspapers. Critics have already made their opinion known.

Reuters: The senior Roman Catholic clergyman in Canada, seeking to get rid of church baggage and turn over a new leaf, asked forgiveness on Wednesday for sexual abuse and discrimination committed by Catholics in the past.

In an open letter published in newspapers in the province of Quebec, Quebec Archbishop Marc Ouellet said that society in the Canadian province was burdened by wounded memories and that the Roman Catholic Church's moral authority had been damaged.

"It is time to take stock and make a fresh start," Ouellet wrote. "Mistakes have been made which have tarnished the image of the Church and for which I humbly ask forgiveness."