LAST WEEK, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops unequivocally affirmed our commitment that no priest who ever has sexually abused a child will be allowed to serve in ministry.

And, for the first time, we approved binding church laws, called norms, requiring each bishop to live up to this standard -- reinforcing the pledge we bishops made to one another in the Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Yet, to some, we still have not succeeded in making clear the seriousness and resolve with which we are confronting the issue of sexual abuse of children. In many ways, we have no one to blame for this conundrum but ourselves; our past actions have caused a rift in our church. Understanding this, it is our responsibility to continue to bridge the breach of trust between bishops and priests and the faithful. This will take time, and it will take concerted action, but I have faith -- and determination -- that it will occur.

The fact is that the responsibility and the authority to do the right thing and tell the truth rest here, and always have rested here -- and in every other diocese.

The Dallas Charter, to which every U.S. bishop remains bound, is unambiguous in requiring the removal of priests and other religious who have sexually abused a child. And the norms passed this week are equally clear in providing bishops with the ability and responsibility to take every appropriate action, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred:

"At all times the diocesan bishop has the executive power of governance, through an administrative act, to remove an offending cleric from office, to remove or restrict his faculties, and to limit his exercise of priestly ministry. Because sexual abuse of a minor is a crime in all jurisdictions of the United States ... the diocesan bishop shall exercise this power of governance to ensure that any priest who has committed even one act of sexual abuse of a minor as described above shall not continue in active ministry."

This pledge echoes the words of Pope John Paul II: "There is no place in the priesthood and religious life for those who would harm the young."

Let me be clear: I am, along with my fellow bishops, absolutely committed to protecting children, serving victims of abuse and lifting up our good priests.

Our actions here in Baltimore will continue to make clear this commitment, as, I am confident, will the steps taken in dioceses across the country. Additionally, the National Review Board, chaired by Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating, and the Office of Child Protection, headed by former FBI Executive Assistant Director Kathleen McChesney, will help ensure and publicly report on our compliance.

Much of the recent commentary has focused on rules included in the norms that have long been a part of the church's canon law: the 10-year statute of limitation, which can be waived in cases involving abuse, and the existence of tribunals in cases where the accused asks for a formal hearing process, believing he is innocent. Both of these policies relate only to formal penalties under canon law, such as removal from the clerical state, or defrocking.

These rules will have no impact on our administrative ability and responsibility to permanently remove abusers from ministry and to prohibit them from representing themselves as priests.

Here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, above all else, we are acting to protect children. We immediately report to the authorities every case where we have reason to believe abuse has occurred. We are working to heal our church, as we try to help heal those who have been harmed in our church. We are providing due process for priests accused of abuse, with careful investigations committed to finding the truth. And we are sharing the truth of what we learn with civil authorities and the faithful -- working, as always, with our lay Independent Review Board. We now must never waver in doing what is right.

This has been the most difficult year I have experienced as a priest. My pain is shared by my brother priests and many lay Catholics. However, we all know that, by far, the greatest pain is that suffered by those members of our church who, as innocent children and young people, were harmed within the apparent safety of our church family. We have a moral obligation to prevent and alleviate this suffering.

As we continue on our journey of healing, I pray for those who have been abused, for our good priests who so generously serve God's people, for our church and for all the faithful. And as our actions make even clearer our intentions, I hope my prayer will be joined by all those who know our church exists to love God and serve His people. People falter, but faith will not.

Cardinal William H. Keeler is the archbishop of Baltimore.