Pope Francis: Catholic church has zero tolerance for paedophile priests
Pope Francis says clergy preying on children is like 'a satanic mass' as he announces his first meeting with victims
Tuesday 27 May 2014 03.54 EDT
Reuters
theguardian.com
Pope Francis has announced his first meeting with a group of sexual abuse victims at the Vatican, declaring that any priests involved in molesting children had performed the equivalent of "a satanic mass".
"We must go ahead with zero tolerance," the pope said, adding that three bishops were currently under investigation.
"Sexual abuse is such an ugly crime ... because a priest who does this betrays the body of the Lord. It is like a satanic Mass," said Francis in some of the toughest language he has used on a crisis that has rocked the Church for more than a decade.
Francis said he would meet with eight victims and Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley of Boston, who is the head of a commission set up to study ways of dealing with sexual abuse cases in the Catholic church.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/27/pope-to-meet-sexual-abuse-victims
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arcane1
(38,613 posts)As in, turn them over to law enforcement?
rug
(82,333 posts)Leme
(1,092 posts)?
rug
(82,333 posts)I think he's quite serious about it.
Leme
(1,092 posts)put em in jail, pay what you can...or don't bother me with talk
rug
(82,333 posts)Leme
(1,092 posts)but talk is cheap
TommyCelt
(838 posts)But any serious action, particularly in criminal/legal/canonical matters such as child sex abuse by clergy and religious, must be preceded by talk.
Francis is speaking in specifics where his predecessors spoke in generalities. But you are correct; it is mostly talk thus far. I am admittedly jaded when it comes to this. I hope bold action results from the Holy Father's bold words.