Signed on New Year’s Day and given to the US bishops late last night, below is the English text of the Pope’s letter to the bench on the opening of its retreat amid the abuse crisis at Chicago’s Mundelein Seminary.Stretching eight pages in its printed form, the letter was released both by the Holy See and the USCCB this morning.* * *To the Bishops of the United States Conference of Catholic BishopsDear Brothers,During my meeting on 13 September last with the officers of your Conference of Bishops, I suggested that together you make a retreat, a time of seclusion, prayer
