Bishop Lawrence Persico of the Erie Diocese has a message to parishioners: The sex abuse scandal must be remembered, and the changes that came from it must be “deep and lasting.”

Persico has released a statement, which is to be shared with parishioners throughout the diocese on Sunday.

In it, he remarks on the passage of one year since the release of the Pennsylvania investigative grand jury report on sex abuse within the church, and again offers apologies to victims/survivors.

“It was devastating for me, as the pastor of this diocese, to see the ugly details of what had happened within the church,” Persico wrote. “I knew that survivor/victims, as well as all Catholics and the entire community, would need time to grapple with the report. Their deep pain, anger and grief was understandable.”

The bishop said his apology is just one step in the healing process.

“I know words mean very little without action,” he added. “The Diocese of Erie has taken many important steps in the last year, and will continue on this path.”

Persico said one of the biggest efforts undertaken was the Independent Survivors Reparation Fund for abuse survivors, to which survivors could apply for financial compensation.

“To date, 52 survivor/victims have applied to the fund and 23 claims totaling $3 million have been paid out. It is likely many survivor/victims have waited until this final week of the fund to file their claims,” Persico wrote. “Once the last claims are brought to closure, I will make public a final report about the fund.”

The fund is open until Thursday.

The bishop cautioned parishioners that while they may want to forget the pain and heartache, that isn’t the best course of action.

“Some could be tempted to want to close this chapter of our history and move on, but that would be a disservice not only to survivor/victims, but also to the faithful who fill our pews every Sunday,” Persico wrote. “As with any event that has had a broad impact on so many people, it must be remembered, in part, to ensure that the changes we make in the church and in our world are deep and lasting.”

He is again asking for churches within the diocese to open their doors to all on Sept. 15, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., “on the memorial of Our Mother of Sorrows.

“I invite people to visit a Catholic church and spend time in prayer in whatever way the Holy Spirit moves them,” Persico said. “We need to pray for survivor/victims. We need to pray for the healing and purification of the church.

“We need to pray for the many good and holy priests who continue to serve faithfully. And we need to pray that our own faith be strengthened.”

The bishop said, too, that he has been moved by the reactions of the faithful.

“I have been inspired and grateful that many Catholics have demonstrated true discipleship, witnessing to their faith in the past year,” Persico wrote. “They have shown what it means to be charitable, to forgive and to live in hope. And they have understood how important this moment has been for survivor/victims.”

He added, “It is clear that bringing about healing and rebuilding trust is the work we are being called to do as a church. It will take time, patience and fidelity, but the Lord will provide the grace we need.”