Take complaints to the nuncio: CDF official
- Vatican City
- June 22, 2011
The promoter of justice at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Msgr Charles Scicluna, has said that Catholics unhappy with the way their bishops is tackling the abuse crisis should contact the local Vatican nuncio.
The Church's work with regard to sexual abuse of minors by the clergy is to aid victims, but also to prevent abuse by promoting a health attitude toward sexuality in the seminaries, Monsignor Scicluna said at a Saturday press conference to present the international symposium "Toward Healing and Renewal," convoked by the Pontifical Gregorian University for February 2012.
In this transcription of some of the questions and answers of the press conference, the Maltese priest speaks of the primary role of the bishops in addressing the abuse crisis, and what the laity can do to help the Church stop sexual abuse by clergy.
Q: It is the bishop's responsibility to address the problems, but on many occasions they have not been up to this task.
Monsignor Scicluna: As is said in English, there are bishops of all "sizes," of all types, but there is an attitude of the bishop that does not stem from a personal option, but from his vocation to be a "good shepherd." When a good shepherd sees an enemy he does not flee, but rather he waits for the enemy at the door in order to defend his flock, as Jesus said. At the beginning of his pontificate, Benedict XVI also said: "Pray for me that I won't flee before the enemy, but that I will have the courage to be a good shepherd." Jesus' words, actualized also by the Pope, can be the ideal of every bishop today.
Q: And when the bishops are not good shepherds, what can be done?
Monsignor Scicluna: On giving bishops parameters for action, the Circular Letter sent by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith represents a very strong sign on the part of the Holy See. When we receive bishops on their "ad limina" visits we realize that there is a widespread awareness of the problem and also of the Pope's position in this regard. Moreover, each faithful has the right to express his concern about the diocese directly to the Holy See, through the nuncio. My work has made me appreciate very much the activity of the nuncios, who represent to the local community, not only to the governments, the closeness of the Holy Father.
People must know that they can turn to the nuncio when there are issues that have repercussions in the pastoral ministry of bishops, but not to denounce them, but to say: "We have confidence in the ministry of Peter, which the nuncio represents; we have a concern, and we have the duty, not just the right, to present it to Peter." This possibility also forms part of the education of the ecclesial community.
FULL ARTICLE
Msgr. Scicluna: Bishops Have Duty to Address Abuse Crisis (Zenit)
The Church's work with regard to sexual abuse of minors by the clergy is to aid victims, but also to prevent abuse by promoting a health attitude toward sexuality in the seminaries, Monsignor Scicluna said at a Saturday press conference to present the international symposium "Toward Healing and Renewal," convoked by the Pontifical Gregorian University for February 2012.
In this transcription of some of the questions and answers of the press conference, the Maltese priest speaks of the primary role of the bishops in addressing the abuse crisis, and what the laity can do to help the Church stop sexual abuse by clergy.
Q: It is the bishop's responsibility to address the problems, but on many occasions they have not been up to this task.
Monsignor Scicluna: As is said in English, there are bishops of all "sizes," of all types, but there is an attitude of the bishop that does not stem from a personal option, but from his vocation to be a "good shepherd." When a good shepherd sees an enemy he does not flee, but rather he waits for the enemy at the door in order to defend his flock, as Jesus said. At the beginning of his pontificate, Benedict XVI also said: "Pray for me that I won't flee before the enemy, but that I will have the courage to be a good shepherd." Jesus' words, actualized also by the Pope, can be the ideal of every bishop today.
Q: And when the bishops are not good shepherds, what can be done?
Monsignor Scicluna: On giving bishops parameters for action, the Circular Letter sent by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith represents a very strong sign on the part of the Holy See. When we receive bishops on their "ad limina" visits we realize that there is a widespread awareness of the problem and also of the Pope's position in this regard. Moreover, each faithful has the right to express his concern about the diocese directly to the Holy See, through the nuncio. My work has made me appreciate very much the activity of the nuncios, who represent to the local community, not only to the governments, the closeness of the Holy Father.
People must know that they can turn to the nuncio when there are issues that have repercussions in the pastoral ministry of bishops, but not to denounce them, but to say: "We have confidence in the ministry of Peter, which the nuncio represents; we have a concern, and we have the duty, not just the right, to present it to Peter." This possibility also forms part of the education of the ecclesial community.
FULL ARTICLE
Msgr. Scicluna: Bishops Have Duty to Address Abuse Crisis (Zenit)
