Pope Francis Seeks Forgiveness For ‘Sins Of Omission’ By Church Leaders Over Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy members within the Catholic Church was addressed by Pope Francis on Monday when he met with six victims. The Pope acknowledged that the failure of church leaders to act led to greater suffering.The church’s image has been severely tarnished by revelations of sexual abuse.
CNN reports:
“Before God and his people I express my sorrow for the sins and grave crimes of clerical sexual abuse committed against you. And I humbly ask forgiveness,” Francis said in a homily during Mass with the victims, according to a text of the statement provided by the Vatican.
“I beg your forgiveness, too, for the sins of omission on the part of Church leaders who did not respond adequately to reports of abuse made by family members, as well as by abuse victims themselves,” he said. “This led to even greater suffering on the part of those who were abused and it endangered other minors who were at risk.”
He said “sins of clerical sexual abuse against minors have a toxic effect on faith and hope in God.”
This was Francis’ first meeting with sex abuse victims since becoming Pope.
Watch courtesy of CNN:
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By: Anomaly100
13 responses to Pope Francis Seeks Forgiveness For ‘Sins Of Omission’ By Church Leaders Over Sexual Abuse
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Holytape July 7th, 2014 at 09:43
Pope Francis said to the reporters, “You know, ‘Forgive and forget.’ You know, what Jesus said. And since we here at the Catholic church are such a merciful and forgiving organization we’ll happily take on half the burden. We will forgive the victims, if they would just forget what we have done.”
jasperjava July 7th, 2014 at 10:16
I can understand people being angry at the Church, and cynical about the attempts at restitution and reconciliation.
But this attitude of yours, misrepresenting the Pope’s comments and feelings, is hardly the way we will see any progress.
Give him a chance.
Holytape July 7th, 2014 at 10:32
He has repeated refused to cooperate with local authorities. He has repeated refused to hand over documents describing how they handled sex abuse. He has offered kind words as he has circled the wagons.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-05/vatican-wont-give-all-child-abuse-documents-royal-commission/5574192
Gindy51 July 7th, 2014 at 11:39
No, he had one and that is it. He lost it the very second he did not put this issue front and center to his reign as pope. Me’s nothing more than a prettier face with the same attitude and evil as the last mf who held the position.
Holytape July 7th, 2014 at 09:43
Pope Francis said to the reporters, “You know, ‘Forgive and forget.’ You know, what Jesus said. And since we here at the Catholic church are such a merciful and forgiving organization we’ll happily take on half the burden. We will forgive the victims, if they would just forget what we have done.”
jasperjava July 7th, 2014 at 10:16
I can understand people being angry at the Church, and cynical about the attempts at restitution and reconciliation.
But this attitude of yours, misrepresenting the Pope’s comments and feelings, is hardly the way we will see any progress.
Give him a chance.
Holytape July 7th, 2014 at 10:32
He has repeated refused to cooperate with local authorities. He has repeated refused to hand over documents describing how they handled sex abuse. He has offered kind words as he has circled the wagons.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-05/vatican-wont-give-all-child-abuse-documents-royal-commission/5574192
uzza July 7th, 2014 at 10:21
Meanwhile the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child has this advice for Pope Public Relations Campaign.
“The committee is gravely concerned that the Holy See has not acknowledged the extent of the crimes committed, has not taken the necessary measures to address cases of child sexual abuse and protect children, and has adopted policies and practices which has led to the continuation of the abuse by and the impunity of the perpetrators”
mea_mark July 7th, 2014 at 11:45
Hopefully this is a sign that the Pope is going to take their advice.
uzza July 7th, 2014 at 10:21
Meanwhile the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child has this advice for Pope Public Relations Campaign.
“The committee is gravely concerned that the Holy See has not acknowledged the extent of the crimes committed, has not taken the necessary measures to address cases of child sexual abuse and protect children, and has adopted policies and practices which has led to the continuation of the abuse by and the impunity of the perpetrators”
mea_mark July 7th, 2014 at 11:45
Hopefully this is a sign that the Pope is going to take their advice.
The Lochnar July 7th, 2014 at 19:31
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who feels the RCC is continuing to show the criminal organization they appear to be. The almost unprecedented appointment of a new Pope while his predecessor is still alive shows the PR trickery this criminal organization is employing, especially since it has taken so long to say _anything_ about the crimes.
Let’s see if he continues to do nothing except talk.
The Lochnar July 7th, 2014 at 19:31
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who feels the RCC is continuing to show the criminal organization they appear to be. The almost unprecedented appointment of a new Pope while his predecessor is still alive shows the PR trickery this criminal organization is employing, especially since it has taken so long to say _anything_ about the crimes.
Let’s see if he continues to do nothing except talk.