Abuse Victim: Church at Top Must Ask Forgiveness

ABC News
February 3, 2012

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/abuse-victim-church-top-forgiveness-15508114#.TyxIrfnoXtQ

An Irish woman who was raped as a teen by a priest says some fellow survivors of clergy sex abuse are questioning the motives behind an upcoming Vatican-backed symposium.

Marie Collins said Friday that some have wondered if the meeting next week in Rome is merely a public relations exercise instead of a genuine initiative to protect children.

She says she wrestled with her decision to accept an invitation to be a keynote speaker, but agreed because top Vatican officials will be there, including the U.S. cardinal in charge of church strategy on abuse, and she wants her voice heard.

Collins says church leaders have apologized for abuse but that survivors like her want the top leadership, including the pope, to do something harder — "ask forgiveness" of victims.