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Milwaukee archbishop apologizes for clergy abuse

MILWAUKEE — The archbishop of Milwaukee is bluntly admitting "sinful and criminal" behavior by priests who sexually abused children in a recorded message played for area Catholics at most weekend Masses.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Archbishop Jerome Listecki used the six-minute message to explain the archdiocese's decision last week to file for bankruptcy protection.

The archdiocese says it took the step because pending sexual-abuse lawsuits would leave it with debts it couldn't afford.

Listecki repeated the reorganization would affect only the archdiocese and not other Catholic organizations, including schools, hospitals and charities.

He made no excuses and apologized for the church's slow response to the scandal, saying, "This abuse was sinful and criminal. The actions of the perpetrators were despicable, and I am ashamed because of those actions."

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