State Bishops Head To Rome For Clergy Abuse Summit

The Roman Catholic bishops of Massachusetts say the attention of the Church and the wider society will be focused on this week's summit meeting in Rome.  

The intent of the gathering, called by Pope Francis, is to address the global sexual abuse crisis. 

In a joint statement, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, and the bishops of the dioceses of Fall River, Springfield and Worcester, say the goal of the summit is to reach strong universal consensus for a Church with zero tolerance of sexual abuse and the development of education and prevention programs.

The Bishops say they will be in Rome for the summit which will go from Thursday through Sunday.