🔗 Share this article

People who experienced sexual abuse by church officials have expressed renewed hope following their initial meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican.

The board president, heading Ending Clergy Abuse, commented that the pontiff's decision to engage with them so early in his leadership sent a strong message about his commitment to addressing the problem.

Worldwide Strict Policy Pushed

The group is advocating for a global strict approach that would defrock any priest who confesses to or is proven of abusing a child. This policy has already been adopted in the US.

The Pope acknowledged that there is "opposition in some parts of the world" to this proposal, according to the representative.

"Everyone was practical when we acknowledged that there is resistance," Hickey remarked.

Inherited Issue

The current pontiff, who took the role in spring, has inherited this persistent problem that has haunted the Catholic Church for many years.

Previous efforts to resolve the problem included an unprecedented meeting on paedophilia within the institution and revisions to church laws to clearly outlaw sexual abuse.

Personal Connection

For the representative, who uses they/them pronouns, the campaign for global implementation of the measure is personal. The North American activist revealed they were victimized by a clergy member who was later moved between different parishes.

"Hopefully this will establish the direction for his leadership, because we want to collaborate with him," Hickey stated. "We have the common objective, we want to end clergy abuse."

Significant Encounter

Seven representatives of the organization, which includes victims and advocates from over thirty countries, engaged with the Pontiff in his official residence.

The meeting, originally scheduled for 20 minutes, lasted to a full hour, during which the religious leader "mostly listened to us," according to the representative.

The Pope was described as "very understanding" when hearing the account of a woman victimized at a Catholic residential school for native youth in North America.

They noted the Pope was "tender" about their own experience and seemed "very humble, funny, and very down to earth."

"Survivors have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't perceive like he was giving us lip service," they stated. "I believed like he was sincere, realistic, and receptive and eager to work with us."

Church Regulations Reforms

The group is hoping that changes to canon law will facilitate the implementation of the zero-tolerance policy worldwide.

They have spoken with experts and compiled documents that they plan to present to the pontiff.

"He seemed interested in looking at it," they noted.

Accountability Emphasized

A recent Vatican-commissioned report highlighted the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the resignation and/or removal of Church leaders or personnel in cases of abuse or negligence."

The document also noted that victims repeatedly stressed the "critical requirement for bishops and senior officials to be made responsible for inaction and cover-up."

Path Ahead

The representative revealed they told the pontiff at the beginning of their meeting: "This represents as much a challenge for him to participate in a dialogue as it was for us."

After the encounter, Hickey expressed optimism for progress.

"We understand it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the conclusion, coming together and establishing a connection and continuing to build that relationship is a move in the correct path," they stated.

They added that they told with the pontiff: "Even though it's a difficult period, I feel like we can alter how the story ends - he appreciated that."