The French bishops’ council warned eleven bishops accused of abuse cases at the bishops’ conference in Lourdes, France, as a model for the church’s administration of justice.
Fr. Jinu Jacob, Vatican City
France: The world is once again discussing the face of justice of the Catholic Church, which has always declared a no-cease strike in abuse cases. Monsignor Moulins-Beaufort, President of the French Bishops’ Committee, informed the press conference on the occasion of the gathering of 120 French bishops for the Autumn Conference of Bishops from November 3 in Lourdes, the world-famous pilgrimage site of Our Lady, about the serious abuse allegations made against eleven bishops holding official positions of the Church, and the Church’s position on them. The Council of Bishops, which expressed support for the country’s justice system, also welcomed a press conference by Cardinal Emeritus Jean-Pierre Ricard, Bishop of Bordeaux, who agreed to plead guilty.
Jean-Pierre apologized to the victims, their families, and the families of the victims who were hurt by his actions. He added that he apologizes to all those who were hurt by his actions and confession.
Pope Francis, who always reminds us to be close to those who suffer by looking at the cross of Christ, said this in response to a question raised by a French journalist while returning from a visit to Bahrain: “In the case of abuse cases, everything possible is being done within the Church. It is a grave mistake to move forward with such cases, still holding ties, vaguely and without taking steps. But the general interest of the Church is such. It is about taking allegations transparently and clearly and doing justice to the victims.”