VATICAN CITY (VATICAN CITY)
Rappler [Pasig, Manila, Philippines]
October 3, 2024
By Paterno R. Esmaquel II compiled apologies read by Cardinal Michael Czerny, Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, and Pope Francis
Here is a compilation of videos of apologies delivered by Pope Francis and six cardinals ahead of the second session of the Synod on Synodality. [The cardinals read their apologies in Italian; the videos provide an English voice-over translation.]
Manila, Philippines – “How can we be credible in mission if we do not acknowledge our mistakes and bend down to heal the wounds we have caused by our sins?”
Emphasizing the need for the Catholic Church to confess its sins, Pope Francis led a penitential service on Tuesday, October 1, on the eve of the second session of the historic Synod on Synodality at the Vatican.
Six cardinals took turns in delivering apologies on behalf of the Catholic Church in a penitential service at Saint Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday. The final message and apology was reserved for the 87-year-old pontiff who, over the past 11 years, has called for a humble and listening church.
The apologies were preceded by three testimonies victimized by abuses and indifference within the Catholic Church. One of them was a sex abuse survivor who suffered at the hands of a predator when he was 11 years old.
Below is a compilation of videos of the apologies delivered at Saint Peter’s Basilica.
On slavery, colonialism
The apology is delivered by Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
On sexual abuse of minors
The apology is delivered by Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
On offenses against women
The apology is delivered by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life.
On failing to be a ‘poor church’
The apology is delivered by Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, archbishop of Rabat in Morocco.
On using doctrine to justify inhuman treatment
The apology is delivered by Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
On ‘not listening to the people’
The apology is delivered by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, archbishop of Vienna.
An apology from Pope Francis himself