Sexual abuse perpetrated by members of
the clergy undermines the Church's ability to witness to the
love of God, Pope Francis said on Friday.
"Wars, hunger and indifference to the suffering of others are
terrible realities of our world, they are realities that cry out
to Heaven," said the Pope during an audience with the Pontifical
Commission for the Protection of Minors.
"However, the crisis of sexual abuse is particularly serious for
the Church because it undermines its ability to embrace in
fullness the liberating presence of God and to witness to it,"
Francis added.
"The inability to take proper action to stop this evil and to
come to the aid of its victims has sullied our very witness to
God's love," continued the Pope, adding that "the sexual abuse
of minors by clergy and its mismanagement by church leaders has
been one of the greatest challenges for the Church in our time".
Francis recalled the "terrible sense of loss experienced by so
many because of abuse", which can sometimes seem "too heavy to
bear".
Revised norms to prevent and counter sexual abuse against minors
and vulnerable adults within the Church entered into force on
April 30 as part of a drive by Pope Francis to crack-down on the
phenomenon and related cover-ups.
However, victims' groups say more needs to be done.
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