A yearlong investigation by Seton Hall University confirmed that Theodore McCarrick, the laicized cardinal who had been archbishop of Newark from 1986 to 2000, had sexually harassed seminarians during his tenure as head of the archdiocese.

The beleaguered bishop has faced questions about how he has handled allegations of abuse against diocesan priests for more than a year.

He praised “the efforts made in recent decades to ensure that peace is once more the norm and reconciliation the best path to confront the difficulties and challenges that you face as a nation.”

The confessional and the psychiatrist’s office are both holy ground.

Bishop Malone has faced questions about how he has handled allegations of abuse against diocesan priests for more than a year.