Pope Leo XIV Calls for Zero Tolerance of Abuse in the Church
In a firm stance against abuse, Pope Leo XIV recently addressed the National Safeguarding Conference in the Philippines, insisting on “no tolerance” for any form of abuse within the Roman Catholic Church. His message resonates with the need for transparency and preventive measures to protect the vulnerable.
“I renew my appeal that there can be no tolerance for any form of abuse in the Church,” Pope Leo XIV stated emphatically. He emphasized the Church’s role as a spiritual haven where all activities should honor God and prioritize the care of children and vulnerable individuals.
The conference, hosted in Angeles City, Central Luzon, focused on the theme “Our Mission of Safeguarding: A Journey of Hope and Compassion.” The gathering was organized by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors alongside other Catholic organizations in the Philippines. The four-day event, concluding on Friday, featured discussions among faith leaders and experts aimed at fostering accountability within the Church.
Bishop Luis Manuel Ali Herrera, secretary of the Commission, highlighted the purpose of the conference in his keynote address. “This mission does not arise from crisis or fear,” he said, underlining that their initiative is deeply rooted in faith in Christ. He called for ongoing dedication to protection, emphasizing the need to “repair the damage done to previous generations and to those who continue to suffer.”
Pope Leo XIV’s commitment was further demonstrated during a meeting with survivors of clergy sex abuse at the Vatican. A survivor described this encounter as “deeply meaningful,” noting a “shared commitment to justice, healing and real change.”
However, criticism remains. Advocacy groups, such as the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), argue that the pope has not sufficiently addressed abuse in the Church. Peter Isely, SNAP’s Global Advocacy chair, expressed disappointment, stating, “We offered Pope Leo a roadmap for accountability. One hundred days later, known abusers are permitted to remain in ministry.”
The urgency for effective measures is underscored by recent claims from a victim’s group, alleging that close to 4,400 abuse cases by Catholic priests in Italy have surfaced since 2020. This report, compiled by Rete I’Abuso using various sources, was highlighted by Reuters.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
