Sexual Abuse: Pope slams Catholics
Pope Francis said on Wednesday that a damning report concerning sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in France represented a moment of shame.
The pope said this at a general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.
A commission of enquiry had reported on Tuesday that an estimated 216,000 children and young people had been victims of sexual violence in the Catholic Church in France since the 1950s.
Together with the institutions run by the Church, there may have been 330,000 victims.
“This is a considerable number,” the pope said.
He expressed “sorrow and my pain to the victims for the trauma they have suffered…also my shame, the shame of all of us.’’
The pope urged bishops and church leaders in France to do everything possible to ensure that such incidents did not happen again and “so that the Church once again becomes a safe home for all.’’
The French Bishops’ Conference on Wednesday reaffirmed that there should be financial compensation for the victims.
“You can’t repair the irreparable,” Archbishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the French Bishops’ Conference, told broadcaster France Info.
He implored the Church to recognise the victims and acknowledge its own wrongdoing.
The bishop did not say anything specific about a possible amount of compensation.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Buhari regime assures Nigeria Air will fly before May 29
Mr Sirika said the national carrier would create numerous jobs and better opportunities in the industry when fully established.
Lagos
Court sentences four to death by hanging for kidnapping, armed robbery
Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo held that the prosecution proved the charges of conspiracy, robbery and kidnapping against the convicts beyond all reasonable doubt.
Economy
Naira weakens further at I&E window, exchanges at 469.50 per dollar
The rate represented a decrease of 0.04 per cent compared to the N461.50 for which it exchanged to the dollar on Wednesday.
Politics
PDP names caretaker committee for Katsina chapter after sacking SWC
Mr Ologunagba said that the committee was expected to run the affairs of the party in the state for a period not exceeding 90 days.
Politics
My suspension is Ayu’s “last kick of a dead horse”: Fayose
He said in a matter of days, the “inglorious tenure” of Mr Ayu as national chairman of PDP will become history and the party will enjoy a new lease of life.
Politics
Keyamo: Oby Ezekwesili warns Buhari regime against arresting Obi, Datti
Mrs Ezekwesili warned the Buhari regime and SSS against actioning Mr Keyamo’s “foolish ideas.”
