Pope's shame about Catholic child molestation

Associated Press via NPR.org; Pfc. Sandoval, Crystal Q., Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Pope Francis expresses "shame" at the scale of child sexual abuse by Catholics in France

Pope speechless (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

VATICAN CITY — (AP via NPR) Pope Francis expressed "shame" for himself and the Roman Catholic Church today (10/6/21) for the scale of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in France and acknowledged failures in putting the needs of victims first [rather than shielding, relocating, and protecting the child molesters].

The pope spoke during his regular audience at the Vatican about a report released Tuesday that estimated some 330,000 French children were abused by clergy and other church authority figures dating back to 1950.

"There is, unfortunately, a considerable number. I would like to express to the victims my sadness and pain for the trauma that they suffered,'' the pope said.

"It is also my shame , our shame, my shame, for the incapacity of the church for too long to put them at the center of its concerns." He called on all bishops and religious superiors to take all actions necessary "so similar dramas are not repeated."

The pope also expressed his "closeness and paternal support" to French priests in the face of a "difficult test,'' and called on French Catholics to "ensure that the church remains a safe house for all." More