VATICAN CITY (VATICAN CITY)
U.S. Catholic - Claretian Missionaries [Chicago IL]
April 13, 2022
By Juan Carlos Cruz, Jeannie Gaffigan, and Mike Lewis
[The Field Hospital podcast is sponsored by the Viatorians. In this episode of the podcast, Juan Carlos Cruz discusses the church’s response to the clergy abuse crisis; the episode is an hour and twelve minutes long.]
Editors’ note: This episode speaks on sexual abuse, trauma, and healing, and contains content that may be disturbing to some listeners.
In 2015, Juan Carlos Cruz was one of several abuse survivors to protest Pope Francis’ appointment of Juan Barros as bishop of the diocese of Osorno in Chile. Barros, they said, had witnessed their abuse at the hands of popular priest Fernando Karadima, and helped cover it up. Initially, Pope Francis defended Barros, even going so far as to accuse Juan Carlos and his fellow survivors of calumny. But Juan Carlos continued to speak up and work for justice. Finally, Pope Francis had a change of heart and apologized to the survivors he had wronged. In 2021, the pope appointed Juan Carlos to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Juan Carlos Cruz continues to be a prophetic voice for justice on behalf of those who go unheard. He works as a communications executive in Washington, D.C.
In today’s episode of Field Hospital, Jeannie and Mike talk to Juan Carlos about his experience, about the Church’s response to the sex abuse crisis, and resources that are available for survivors.
You can find further information about these resources, and about Juan Carlos Cruz, through these links:
- Snap Network: Resources for Survivors
- Vos Estis Lux Mundi (You Are the Light of the World), Pope Francis, 2019
- “Pope Francis names Juan Carlos Cruz, prominent abuse survivor and whistleblower, to Vatican panel” by Gerard O’Connell
- “Pope taps Chilean sex abuse whistleblower for Vatican panel” by Frances D’Emilio
- “‘Pope cannot claim he was misinformed’: Chilean abuse survivor after Vatican meeting” by Alex Leff