UCA News
Contribute

Letter from Rome

Church responded too late, Pope Francis told members of the Pontifical Commission for Protection of Minors
Letter from Rome

Pope Francis waves from the Popemobile upon arrival for an open air mass at Contecar — Cartagena's maritime terminal- during the last day of his visit to Colombia on Sept. 10. (Photo by Rodrigo Buendia/AFP)

Published: September 25, 2017 06:21 AM GMT
Updated: September 25, 2017 06:28 AM GMT

In candid remarks this week Pope Francis admitted, with a sense of shame, that the church has been too slow in dealing with the horrible crimes of priests who sexually abuse the young and vulnerable.

"The church responded too late," the pope told members of the Pontifical Commission for Protection of Minors.

"It’s a fact: we responded too late. Maybe (because) the old practice of transferring people deadened our conscience a bit," he said on Thursday in an unscripted address to 17 people who are currently part of the commission that advises him on abuse prevention.

It’s good that he said it. But this "fact" is hardly a revelation. Everyone in the world — except those Catholic clerics and laypeople who are still overly defensive — know the institutional Church dragged its heels in confronting the problem.

But Pope Francis did not stop there. He went even further and took personal blame for his own irresponsibility, at least regarding one case of sexual abuse. 

To read further click here

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia