ST. LOUIS (MO)
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
January 3, 2019
As American bishops meet outside Chicago for a week of “prayer and self-reflection” the Vatican’s request, Pope Francis has sent a letter explaining what he hopes comes of this retreat. Unfortunately, his letter ignores the most critical issue of all: accountability for bishops who conceal sex crimes.
The Pope’s letter clearly shows the self-centeredness of Vatican officials. In one brief sentence, he mentions victims. But his concerns, in order, are that “the church has been badly shaken,” lay people have been “confused,” the “communion of bishops” has suffered and the church’s credibility has waned.
Only half-way through his letter does he mention what should be his highest priority: “protecting those in our care.”
The Pope’s letter is long on platitudes but short on the words that survivors and advocates want to read. Not once in his eight-page, 3,500+ word letter does Pope Francis speak to the urgent need for accountability for bishops who conceal clergy sex crimes.
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