Pope Francis Addressing Sexual Abuse by Clergy

NECN - Broadside
July 9, 2014

http://www.necn.com/07/09/14/Broadside-Pope-Francis-addressing-sexual/landing_broadside.html?blockID=868997&feedID=11122

[with video]

Pope Francis recently met victims that were sexually abused by members of the clergy.

This was the first time a Pope has met with victims of sexual abuse inside the Vatican walls, as well as Pope Francis’ first time meeting with victims of sexual abuse since he was elected six months ago.

Anne Barrett Doyle of www.bishopaccountability.org and Attorney Carmen Durso, who spear-headed the Child Sex Abuse Prevention Act that just passed by the Massachusetts legislature, joined NECN to respond.

The guests suggested that the Pope has evolved since the beginning of his service, but needs to take more action.

“He has to clean house by removing Bishops and religious superiors who enable sexual abuse,” Barrett Doyle said. “The number one thing he has to do, in addition, is to require that every Bishop and religious superior report allegations of child sexual abuse.”

The guests continued by talking about Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who serves in Boston.

“He’s the token American in this whole thing. It’s interesting that the clergy abuse crisis started in Boston, spread through the United States, and then spread to other countries in Europe. They don’t want to engage with America any more than they have to on this because they know how strongly Americans feel about this and they know how strongly Americans have advocated,” Attorney Durso explained.

In addition, the guests discussed the reform of sexual abuse laws.