On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report which chronicled the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic Clergy and details how Bishops and their delegates kept these crimes hidden and out of the purview of law enforcement was released to the public.
On Thursday, Pope Francis, through his spokesperson, Greg Burke, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, made a brief statement indicating that Pope Francis was shocked by and ashamed of the stories of more than a thousand victims, perpetrated by over 300 Priests.
In the intervening two days between the release of the report and Burke’s briefest of statements, the Holy See had “no comment” to offer.
On Saturday, the following article by Alessandro Gisotti (whoever he is) appeared on the Vatican News website:
“I deeply regret that some bishops failed in their responsibility to protect children,” the Pope said at that meeting, which took place no 27 September 2015. Turning to the survivors of abuse, he admitted with sadness that “It is very disturbing to know that in some cases bishops even were abusers.” He said, “I pledge to you that we will follow the path of truth wherever it may lead. Clergy and bishops will be held accountable when they abuse or fail to protect children.” And, he added, “Within our family of faith and our human families, the sins and crimes of sexual abuse of children must no longer be held in secret and in shame.”
Later that day, speaking to Bishops from around the world who were participating in the Meeting in Philadelphia, Pope Francis repeated his commitment to battling the plague of abuse. He said unequivocally, “The crimes and sins of sexual abuse of minors may no longer be kept secret; I commit myself to ensuring that the Church makes every effort to protect minors and I promise that those responsible will be held to account.”
Pope Francis returned to the question of sexual abuse by clerics in response to questions by reporters on the flight back to Rome following the visit to Philadelphia. “When a priest commits abuse, it is extremely grave,” he said, “because the vocation of the priest is to help that boy or girl to aim high, to grow in the love of God, to grow to affective maturity and goodness. And instead of that, he crushed them, which is evil. That is why it is practically a sacrilege.” The Pope re-emphasized: “These things must not be covered up; and those who covered them up are also guilty, even some bishops who covered them up. It is a terrible thing.”
Is it possible that the Holy See sees fit to respond to what amounts to the biggest scandal to hit the American Church by repeating statements Pope Francis made to Bishops almost 3 years ago?
Since that is the case, I guess there is nothing more that can be said about the lack of spirituality and integrity that has and continues to infect the Church.
I thought the reason the Holy See responded so ineptly to such scandals was because it was overwhelmed by their magnitude.
I was wrong.
The Church has quite literally lost its soul.
Will the Body of Christ ever be able to recapture its dignity and sense of mission?
I wonder.
What thinkest you?
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