The former Archbishop of Omaha, Archbishop-emeritus Elden Curtiss, has issued a formal apology for his handling of personnel matters in the wake of sexual abuse allegations that have surfaced.
His statement reads as follows:
"The substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of minors and misconduct with minors announced last week by the Archdiocese of Omaha included offenses that occurred during my 16 years as Archbishop of Omaha.
I made personnel decisions that were based on practices that preceded the 2002 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Some of these decisions would not be considered appropriate or timely by today’s safe environment standards.
Consequently, I am profoundly sorry for the pain some of my decisions caused victims and their families and I pray that they will experience the healing and peace that comes from Jesus Christ."
Curtiss served as the leader of the Omaha Archdiocese from 1993 until his retirement in 2009.