Pope Francis said on Saturday (Sept 28, 2024) that the Catholic Church must learn from victims of child sexual abuse, as he was pressed on the issue on the second day of a visit to Belgium partially overshadowed by past scandals.
Responding during a meeting in Brussels to a question posed by a representative of an organization that helps victims of abuse, the Pope acknowledged the “cruel suffering and wounds” caused by the Church.
“There is a need for a great deal of mercy to prevent us from hardening our hearts to the suffering of the victims, so that we can help them feel our closeness,” Francis told the meeting with clergy and pastoral workers, a day after meeting a group of Belgian victims of violence.
“We must learn from them, as you said, to be a Church at the service of all, without belittling anyone,” the 87-year-old pope told those gathered in the huge Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Kockelberg, one of the largest churches in the world.
“Indeed, one of the roots of violence stems from the abuse of power, when we use the positions we hold to oppress or manipulate others.”
His words were in response to Mia De Champfelere, a Belgian politician and coordinator of a Flemish center for victims of violence, who asked how the Church could learn from its mistakes and create a safe environment for all.
Decades of scandal and cover-up hung over the pope’s visit to Belgium, where a hard-hitting documentary last year brought the subject back to the front pages, prompting new victims to come forward.
On Friday night, 17 victims of sexual abuse by clergy shared their stories and voiced their expectations to the pope, who “took note” of their requests, according to the Vatican.
In an open letter this month, some victims asked the pope to crack down on pedophilia and start a process for financial compensation.
Starting his visit on Friday, Francis said the Church must “seek forgiveness”, calling child sexual abuse “our shame and our humiliation”, after being questioned on the issue by King Philip and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
In a more cheerful atmosphere on Saturday, Francis blessed children after his speech, taking a selfie and shaking hands with a crowd of faithful who greeted him at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Early in the morning, the Argentine Jesuit went to another church in the city to share breakfast with the homeless and migrants.
He was later due to hold discussions with students in Louvain-la-Neuve in French-speaking Wallonia, particularly on climate issues, before ending his visit on Sunday with an outdoor mass.
Published – 29 Sep 2024 03:40 AM IST
