The Archdiocese of Chicago is apologizing to the victims of sexual abuse by priests.
Bishop Francis Kane offered the apology during a news conference Wednesday to discuss church files on sex abuse cases that are being released.
The documents involve 30 former priests with substantiated abuse claims against them. The files are being handed over to attorneys for victims as part of a settlement.
Kane said he hoped it would "bring healing and hope to the people that have been affected by these terrible sins and crimes.''
The bishop acknowledged mistakes and said church officials at first failed even to recognize that child sex abuse was a serious crime.
But he denied there were any attempted cover-ups. He says the church now has much more thorough vetting procedures for clergy.