Pope meets with clergy abuse victims, says crimes can’t be secret

Oct 01, 2015

PHILADELPHIA: Pope Francis met with a group of survivors of sexual abuse Sept 27 and later told bishops that he was overwhelmed by a sense of embarrassment, and was committed to holding accountable those who harmed children.

In a meeting with cardinals, bishops, priests and seminarians at St Charles Borromeo, the Pope prefaced his address on the importance of the family by saying that he had met with the group as arranged by Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. The Vatican said the 30-minute meeting, with three women and two men abused by members of the clergy or their families or their teachers, was held at the seminary shortly before the Pope addressed the bishops.

“It is engraved in my heart, the stories, suffering and pain of the children abused by priests,” the Pope said. “I continue to feel an overwhelming sense of embarrassment because of those who had in their care the little ones and caused them great harm.

“I am deeply sorry. God cries,” he said.

He said that “the crimes and sin of sexual abuse of children can no longer remain secret” and that he “committed the close vigilance of the Church to protect the children, and I promise that all responsible will be held accountable.”

In his earlier meetings with bishops during his six-day US visit, he told them that he continued to be hurt by news of sexual abuse of children and wanted them to be more vigilant.-- CNS