Attorney Hopes New Pope Will Support Victims of Abuse

Cw 56
March 13, 2013

http://www.cw56.com/news/articles/local/boston/10010090479568/attorney-hopes-new-pope-will-support-victims-of-abuse/


BOSTON (WHDH) -- While millions of Catholics around the world celebrated on Wednesday with the election of Pope Francis, it was also a reflection and hope for those victims of clergy sexual abuse.

Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who has represented more than a thousand clergy abuse cases from all over the world, says he speaks on behalf of all victims when he charges Pope Francis with promoting real change in the church. He hopes the church’s slate is sort of “wiped clean” and Pope Francis will be more transparent about the church’s issues than those before him.

“This pope has to be a moral leader. For the Catholic Church to be a moral institution it has to act morally. This pope, Pope Francis, has to clean house with regard to pedophilia. He has to set new norms in place to sanction bishops. He has to reveal their file, the files within the church. He has to name pedophiles. There has to be transparency. He has to support victims,” said Garabedian.

Garabedian also hopes Pope Francis will help provide more funding for victims who still need therapy.