Pope Francis on Saturday pledged support for victims of clergy sexual abuse during his visit to Belgium. The country has been confronting revelations of clerical abuse and cover-ups for two decades.
Speaking at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Brussels, Pope Francis vowed to help those affected, saying,” Abuse generates horrible anguish and wounds, undermining also the way of faith”. He committed to “offer all the support we you” for the patients.
His remarks came after a two-hour conference with victims of abuse who are suing the Church for payment. The victims have given the Pope a month to consider their calls. A French news company described the meeting as an “open, tough, and even psychological conversation”.
Survivor Koen Van Sumere expressed enthusiasm about the conversation, calling it “positive,” but noting that he is awaiting what steps will be taken as a result, according to a report from Deutsche Welle.
Pope Francis even received criticism from Belgium’s King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo while on his attend. According to King Philippe, it took too long to solve the crimes. De Croo, the prime minister, on the other hand, argued that practical steps needed to be taken, highlighting the importance of survivors ‘ voices being heard and their appropriate to the truth.
The Catholic Church has been roiled by reports of thousands of child maltreatment cases involving church members, many of which were institutionalized, for a number of years.
