Pope Francis Asks Forgiveness For Catholic Clergy Child Abuse

[rug]

1 Hr Ago
Abby Ohlheiser
AP

Pope Francis gave some unusually direct comments on the Catholic Church's decades-long clergy abuse epidemic on Friday. Francis "personally ask[ed] for forgiveness for the damage they have done for having sexually abused children" in a short speech on Friday to a Catholic children's NGO. The remarks, according to the Vatican Radio write-up, were at least partially off script.

Although he has taken some steps to address the scandal, and the calls for church reform that it created, Francis has faced criticism from victim advocates for failing to fully address the child abuse epidemic in his first year as pope. Today's remarks could be, in part, an attempt to convince advocates that he takes the spiritual aspect of the abuse scandal seriously. Francis said:

I feel compelled to personally take on all the evil which some priests, quite a few in number, obviously not compared to the number of all the priests, to personally ask for forgiveness for the damage they have done for having sexually abused children. The Church is aware of this damage, it is personal, moral damage carried out by men of the Church, and we will not take one step backward with regards to how we will deal with this problem, and the sanctions that must be imposed. On the contrary, we have to be even stronger. Because you cannot interfere with children.

Francis didn't elaborate on what he meant by "sanctions." In March, however, the Pope appointed eight clergy and lay members of the church — including one senior cardinal known for taking a hard line on church abuse — to a committee designed to advise the church on steps and reforms needed to address the scandal.

http://www.thewire.com/global/2014/04/pope-francis-asks-forgiveness-for-catholic-clergy-child-abuse/360526/

[TommyCelt]

1. I remain skeptical...

The Church has had a horrific blind spot in this second prong of the scandal...the bishops/superiors who perpetuated the continued victimization of children by covering up and moving predator clergy to different assignments. Asking forgiveness without making amends by bringing these criminals to justice is, I imagine, quite hurtful and insulting to victims and their families.

We are counting on you, Papa. Of every issue in front of you, please don't drop the ball on this one.

[goldent]

2. Words are necessary but not sufficient

He needs to make sure that there is a robust system to prevent future occurrences (I know many things have been done in this regard), and also fair and just resolution with past victims (for those aspects that are outside the justice system).

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

3. It's a start

The problem is not easy to solve nor will any solution make everyone happy. Still, it's better than Benedict's response, which seemed to be "Problem? What problem?"