PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Washington Post
By Karen Heller, Frances Stead Sellers and Michael E. Ruane
September 26
PHILADELPHIA — Pope Francis made his way through a jubilant crowd here Saturday afternoon to the symbolic birthplace of the United States, and challenged the country to rededicate itself to the solemn promises of its past, including its commitment to religious liberty.
After being driven through the throng, with the popemobile stopping several times for Francis to kiss babies, the 78-year-old pontiff arrived at Independence Hall, where the U.S. Consitution and the Declaration of Independence were signed. “It was here,” Francis said, “that the freedoms which define this country were first proclaimed.”
Introduced by Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” the pope stood at a wooden lectern used by Abraham Lincoln for his Gettysbrg Address, and told the crowd assembled on Independence Mall that “history also shows that these or any truths must constantly be reaffirmed, re-appropriated and defended.” …
Yet not everyone shared in the joy of the pope’s presence. The placard outside the basilica about the sex abuse scandal was stenciled by Robert Hoatson, a 63-year-old former priest whose group, Road to Recovery, works with victims of the clergy sexual abuse scandal and who says he is a victim himself.
Hoatson, who lives in West Orange, N.J., said he followed the pope to Washington, New York and now Philadelphia with his message of holding the church “accountable” for the scandal.
It is not clear whether Francis will meet with survivors before he leaves for Rome Sunday. Earlier this week at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in the District, he praised the “courage” and pain” of U.S. bishops in dealing with the scandal. That prompted rebukes from some victims’ advocates, who criticized the pope for offering comfort and symphathy to the bishops, while saying little to address the suffering of clergy sex abuse survivors.
“It’s a tough week to be a victim,” said Barbara Dorris, spokesperson for Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. “They feel like once again they’ve been forgotten.”
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