The pontiff called the ecclesiastical hierarchy to take steps so that “similar tragedies do not recur.”
Le Monde with AFP and Reuters
Pope Francis had expressed Tuesday by the voice of his spokesman Matteo Bruni, his “great sorrow” facing the “terrible reality” unveiled by the Independent Commission on sexual abuse in the Church (CIASE ). He returned to the subject, Wednesday, October 6, during a general audience.
“I wish to express my sorrow for the victims, my pain for the trauma suffered, and also my shame, our shame, and my shame for too long inability of the Church to put them at the center of its concerns. I pray, and all pray together, O Lord, glory to us, shame. This is the moment of shame. “
In total, as estimated by the commission chaired by Jean-Marc Sauvé, 216,000 major today people were assaulted by a priest or other religious responsible when they were minors. The figure rises to 330,000 if one includes the victims of laity associated with the Catholic Church (catechists, school supervisors or youth movements, etc.).
French Catholics called to react
Pope Francis called the ecclesiastical hierarchy to arrange for “similar tragedies do not recur” and urged French Catholics to take responsibility to ensure that the Church become a “safe house all “.
As of Tuesday, Bruni Matteo had thus reacted to this information, evoking the pain and the position of the pope. “His thoughts are primarily with the victims, with a heartbreak for their injuries and immense gratitude for their courage to speak. They are also turning to the Church in France, so that, having become aware of this terrible reality (…), it can embark on the road to redemption, “he declared to reporters.