The Most Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, released the following statement regarding this week's visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Washington:

"In listening to our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, I think we in the Diocese of Richmond compare pretty favorably with the vision he has sketched out.

"We seem to be on the same page in terms of his vision on moral issue such as abortion, embryonic stem cell research and marriage.

"As he has asked all Americans to do, we in the Diocese of Richmond are welcoming new immigrants through development of our ethnic ministries and through assistance to immigrants through the Office of Refugee and Immigration Services.

"We are working vigorously on advocacy issues which seek to help the poor and disabled. We are pursuing these advocacy issues in calling for legislation through the Virginia Catholic Conference.

"Regarding vocations to the priesthood, we are experiencing a shortage, but we've been fortunate to be welcoming new international priests from the Philippines and from Uganda. And Father Michael Renninger, our diocesan vocations director, has been successful in finding good men who want to be priests for our diocese.

"In response to the sex abuse scandal, we've been in compliance with the national audit for the past three years. We are observing the letter and the spirit of the Dallas guidelines for protecting God's children. Priests who have had credible allegations of sexual abuse of young people have been permanently removed from priestly ministry.

"But with all this, there is always room for improvement and ongoing conversion. "As Pope Benedict has asked us, let us all be a witness to Christ our hope."