Table of Contents
2024-10-04 19:31:32
Brussels: Pope Francis has given a big statement regarding priests accused of sexual abuse. In addition to punishing the guilty and providing justice to the victims, he said bishops should stop covering up the crimes of priests. Addressing 30,000 people gathered at Belgium’s main sports stadium, the Pope said, ‘Evils must be made public at all costs. There should be no room for abuse. Evils should not be hidden.
Pope meets victims of sexual abuse
Francis, 87, met with 17 abuse victims on Friday night, in which the victims told the Pope of the trauma they suffered and the Church’s indifferent response to reporting the crimes. Pope Francis’ visit ended on Sunday with an address to a huge crowd in a 17th-century stadium.
Belgian PM had raised questions
Earlier, on the occasion of the beginning of Pope Francis’ visit on Friday, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo had targeted Francis for hiding incidents of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. The crew had demanded that ‘concrete steps’ be taken in this regard and the interests of the victims be given priority.
Raja also criticized
Crews’ speech was one of the most acrimonious the Pope has ever delivered during a trip abroad, while diplomatic protocol typically keeps outbursts from public speeches. King Philip also had harsh words for Francis, calling on the church to repent and work tirelessly to help victims recover.
Francis applauded at the end of Crews’ speech and is expected to meet in person with the victims Friday. “Words alone are not enough today,” Crews said. We need to take concrete steps. The voices of the oppressed need to be heard, he told an audience including members of the royal family, church officials, diplomats and politicians. They need to be kept at the centre. They have the right to know the truth. There is a need to detect misconduct.
Sexual abuse in the Belgian church
Revelations about Belgium’s horrific sex abuse scandal have been unfolding for more than 25 years, including a major scandal in 2010, when the country’s longest-serving bishop, Bruges Bishop Roger Vangeleuwe, was released without punishment. Was allowed to resign. He had admitted to sexually abusing his nephew for 13 years.