Coming In days after the shocking Pennsylvania report which revealed hundreds of allegations reporting child sex abuse by members of the Catholic Church along with its cover-up, Pope Francis delivered a letter issued to Catholics around the world begging for forgiveness while condemning the said abusers deplorable actions against children. His letter showed disgust at the clergymen, for their abuse and for hiding their crimes and pointed out that the church leaders were more concerned about covering up the sexual abuse and reputation rather than the protection of the children.
Francis wrote, “With shame and repentance, we acknowledge as an ecclesial community that we were not where we should have been, that we did not act in a timely manner, realizing the magnitude and the gravity of the damage done to so many lives. We showed no care for the little ones; we abandoned them.”
The letter was issued ahead of time, before the Pope’s trip to Ireland. Ireland, a mostly Catholic centered country, has been devastated by the oncoming traffic of news of priests raping and molesting children under their supervision. Ireland, along with other countries such as the United States, has been mounting pressure against the Catholic Church to become accountable for this global abuse.
Irish child sex abuse survivors find the Pope’s letter nothing but words with no action behind them, especially accountability of the Church’s role in covering up the abuse while allowing the crimes to continue to go unpunished.
The letter has also come on the heels of the Pope’s effort in Chile, after the sex abuse scandal began to grow out of control. Chilean law enforcement officers began raiding archives from churches to better gather as much information on pedophile priests.
Pope Francis’ letter was created in seven languages even though its content is referring to the Pennsylvania report; but Francis wished to issue his letter on a global front rather than focusing on the abuse in the U.S. In the letter, Francis admitted to Catholics, worldwide, that forgiveness plays a rather pointless role in the healing process, and also vowed that there will be an end to this. “Never again”, were his words, but failed to provide any indication of what steps he and the Church are prepared to take.
On Monday, Anne Barrett Doyle of the research group Bishop Accountability, released files of credible accused and convicted Irish clergymen.
“Mere words at this point deepen the insult and the pain,” she said. “What Francis should do to protect children, is to order the Vatican to release the names of all priests who have been convicted under canon law of abusing minors”.
If you have been sexually abused please call our clergy sexual abuse attorneys at Alonso Krangle LLP at 800-403-6191 or through our website at www.fightforvictims.com. Our attorneys are sensitive to your story and will assist you in recourse and the compensation and justice you deserve. We will fight together against your abuser or any institution that has failed to protect you. Please call us today to review your legal rights.