Pope Sends Prayers, Advice to Sex Abuse Conference

The Zenit
February 6, 2012

http://www.zenit.org/article-34246?l=english

Notes Hope That Bishops, Superiors Will Respond to Tragedy in Christlike Manner

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 6, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is reminding the participants at a symposium on clergy sexual abuse that healing for victims is of paramount importance, and it must go hand in hand with the Church's own renewal.

The Pope said this in a message signed by his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and sent to the rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, which is hosting a symposium titled "Towards Healing and Renewal." The symposium began today and runs through Thursday, and aims to aid bishops and religious superiors.

The message said the Holy Father is praying for "this important initiative," and that he "asks the Lord that, through [the participants'] deliberations, many bishops and religious superiors throughout the world may be helped to respond in a truly Christ-like manner to the tragedy of child abuse."

"As His Holiness has often observed, healing for victims must be of paramount concern in the Christian community, and it must go hand in hand with a profound renewal of the Church at every level," the message stated. "Our Lord reminds us that every act of charity towards even the least of our brethren is an act of charity towards him."

The Pontiff recommended that the participants "continue drawing on a wide range of expertise in order to promote throughout the Church a vigorous culture of effective safeguarding and victim support."