The Catholic Diocese of Arlington released the names of 16 clergy members that church officials say have been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors.

Bishop Michael Burbidge said in a letter today that he ordered the list to be made public to help victims and survivors “find further healing and consolation.”

“The publishing of this list will bring a range of emotions for all of us,” Burbidge wrote. “Embarrassment, frustration, anger, and hurt are all natural emotions to experience in a time such as this. I share those emotions.”

The bishop went on to say that he remained open to meeting with victims of sexual abuse and apologized.

“I am deeply sorry for what has happened to you,” Burbidge wrote. “You can be assured and confident of my ongoing pastoral care.”

Catholic church officials say independent investigators were brought in to examine clergy files to help compile the lists.

The Arlington diocese covers the northeastern section of Virginia. The rest of the state is covered by the Richmond diocese — which also released a list of 42 credibly accused clergy members.

Becky Ianni, an official with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, told WAMU her perpetrator was named today on the Arlington diocese’s list. She said she hopes the list will encourage others to come forward.

“It’s probably a very narrow list, and I’m sure there are many names that are not on it that should be,” Ianni said.

The list goes back to 1974 when the archdiocese was founded. None of the clergy members named are still active, and many are deceased.