“The Diocese of Arlington has made it known that we are willing to assist with the proper burial and committal of the remains,” Burbidge said.
The bishop “urge[d] the faithful of the diocese and all people of goodwill to join me in prayer for the child’s mother and for anyone involved in this incident.”
Burbidge said the Diocese of Arlington “encourages all women who find themselves in unexpected or difficult pregnancies to seek assistance” through Catholic Charities or the Gabriel Project, a pregnancy support group.
The Leesburg police department did not immediately respond to a query on Friday regarding the status of the investigation.
Burbidge, who was installed as the bishop of Arlington in 2016, is also the chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
This story was updated on Friday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. to clarify that the Diocese of Arlington has offered to assist in the burial of the infant’s body.