Pope Francis Delivered Ambiguous Message about Catholic Priest Sex Abuse
By L.A. Parker
Pope Francis finally departed the United States after a whirlwind visit that attracted ginormous crowds in Washington, New York City and finally Philadelphia but his visit clouded a priest sex abuse scandal. The Pontiff first praised American bishops for their “generous commitment” to aid and support abuse victims, even went as far a saying that Catholic church leaders handled the crisis “without fear or self-criticism and the cost of mortification and great sacrifice.” “I realize how much the pain of recent years has weighed upon you, and I have supported your generous commitment to bring healing to victims — in the knowledge that in healing we, too, are healed — and to work to ensure that such crimes will never be repeated.” The Washington Cathedral resounded with applause from bishops in attendance for the Pope Francis address to church leaders. The initial assessment caused such retribution, particularly from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), that Pope Francis offered a more subdued response by the time his entourage reached Philadelphia where he met with five sexual abuse victims harmed by either family members or Catholic priests. Francis offered these remarks Sunday following national pushback from SNAP and BishopAccountability.org Those groups advocate for abuse victims of Catholic priests and both accused Pope Francis of severe disconnection and a lack of compassion for victims. The world religious leader sounded a different tone when his caravan rolled into the City of Brotherly Love. Francis sided with abuse victims, even promised justice for individuals and families hurt by encounters with wayward priests. Furthermore, despite a landslide of criticism by people who called a previous column off-base and filled with bigotry, Pope Francis said he believed stories told by accusers. For the record, that column recounted a story about an abuse victim “Billy.” A New York Catholic mouthpiece discredited his testimony but forgot to mention that the accused priest Father Edward Avery offered a guilty plea about Billy’s allegations. Avery, in 2013, recanted his testimony because he didn’t want to risk a longer sentence if convicted at trial despite the fact that great heavenly reward awaited him for being falsely persecuted on Earth. Furthermore, Rev. Charles Engelhardt and teacher Bernard Shero were found guilty and sentenced to prison for their involvement with “Billy.” Pope Francis offered these remarks Sunday in Philadelphia as his historic U.S. visit ended with a mass on the J.F. Parkway. “I hold the stories and the suffering and the sorry of children who were sexually abused by priests deep in my heart,” Francis said, during a visit to St. Charles Borromeo seminary. “I remain overwhelmed with shame that men entrusted with the tender care of children violated these little ones and caused grievous harm. I am profoundly sorry. God weeps.” “The crimes and sins of the sexual abuse of children must no longer be held in secret. I pledge the zealous vigilance of the church to protect children and the promise of accountability for all.” Pope Francis voiced sentiments that had been hoped for in that previous column as victims and those connected to these assaults attempt to regain their dignity. However, his comments in Washington matched against remarks in Philadelphia established ambiguity and a sort of playing to the crowd seated or standing before him. “Ambiguity is putting it nicely,” SNAP Executive Director David Clohessy told The Trentonian yesterday morning. Clohessy noted that a 30-minute visit with five abuse victims made minimal difference. “There’s nothing a 78-year-old man will learn or accomplish about (victims’ issues) in that short amount of time,” Clohessy added. Clohessy described the Pope Francis change of heart in Philadelphia as a smart public relations move. “That’s what this meeting is. Nothing more,” Clohessy wrote on the SNAP website. While an expected verbal barrage of retaliation remains expected, critics should comprehend these words delivered by Pope Francis. “I hold the stories and the suffering and the sorrow of children who were sexually abused in my heart.....The crimes and sins of the sexual abuse of children must not be kept secret for any longer. I pledge the zealous vigilance of the Church to protect children and the promise of accountability for all.” This translation of the Holy Father’s words must manifest through real action to identify and punish priests who enacted violations against a significant number of victims. Incredulity adheres to any belief that this chronic issue has been resolved. Critics have called for immediate action by U.S. Catholic hierarchy to initiate a serious plan to not only punish past behaviors but also to enact preventive measures, understanding that Catholic priest sexual abuse continues. Pope Francis asked for prayers of the people to assist him in his world mission to end hunger, disconnect from consumerism, empower the voiceless, end poverty, and support his belief that people should take responsibility for their actions. A personal prayer hopes for divine guidance to assist a Pope Francis realization that his voice must not be mere words. The Pope Francis challenge remains that he leads not only Catholics but the world out of this dark place that refuses to fight for the safety and well being of children. God smiles and is pleased when we love and protect the interets of children of all faiths, walks of life, and backgrounds. L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Reach him at laparker@trentonian.com. Twitter follow at laparker6.
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