🔗 Share this article

Individuals who experienced sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have expressed fresh optimism following their first meeting with Pope Leo at the Holy See.

The board president, heading Ending Clergy Abuse, stated that the Pope's decision to meet with them so soon in his leadership spoke volumes about his dedication to addressing the issue.

Global Strict Approach Pushed

The group is pushing for a worldwide zero-tolerance policy that would defrock any clergy member who confesses to or is proven of sexually abusing a minor. This policy has already been adopted in the US.

The Pope acknowledged that there is "opposition in certain regions of the globe" to this initiative, according to the representative.

"Everyone was practical when we recognized that there is pushback," they remarked.

Inherited Challenge

The new Pope, who assumed the role in May, has taken on this longstanding issue that has haunted the Catholic Church for decades.

Earlier attempts to address the problem included an unprecedented meeting on paedophilia within the institution and changes to canon law to clearly outlaw abuse.

Deeply Felt Link

For Hickey, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, the drive for worldwide adoption of the measure is deeply meaningful. The Canadian activist shared they were victimized by a priest who was subsequently transferred between various churches.

"We trust this will set the tone for his papacy, because we aim to work with him," they stated. "We have the same goal, we want to end clergy abuse."

Significant Encounter

Multiple members of the organization, which represents survivors and supporters from over thirty countries, engaged with the Pope in his official residence.

The discussion, originally scheduled for a brief period, extended to a sixty minutes, during which the Pope "primarily heard to us," according to the representative.

The pontiff was characterized as "quite empathetic" when hearing the story of a woman abused at a Catholic residential school for Indigenous children in Canada.

Hickey added the leader was "compassionate" about their personal experience and seemed "modest, humorous, and very down to earth."

"Survivors have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't feel like he was making empty promises," they stated. "I felt like he was sincere, realistic, and receptive and keen to work with us."

Canon Law Reforms

The organization is hoping that changes to church regulations will facilitate the implementation of the zero-tolerance policy globally.

They have spoken with experts and gathered materials that they will submit to Pope Leo.

"He appeared engaged in looking at it," they noted.

Responsibility Emphasized

A recently released church-ordered report emphasized the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the stepping down and/or dismissal of Church leaders or staff in cases of abuse or failure to act."

The report also noted that victims repeatedly stressed the "critical requirement for bishops and senior officials to be held accountable for inaction and cover-up."

Path Ahead

The representative shared they informed the Pope at the start of their meeting: "This represents as much a challenge for him to participate in a dialogue as it was for us."

Following the encounter, Hickey voiced hope for future change.

"We understand it's not something that's going to be resolved quickly, but at the conclusion, coming together and establishing a relationship and continuing to build that relationship is a step in the right direction," Hickey stated.

They concluded that they told with Pope Leo: "Just because it's a dark chapter, I believe like we can alter how the narrative ends - he valued that."