Pope Francis has met with survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Portugal, and the Vatican says he listened intently to them. After arriving in Lisbon for the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day festival, Francis also blasted members of Portugal’s Catholic hierarchy for their response to the country’s sex abuse scandal. He said it had marred the church and helped drive the faithful away. Francis’ five-day visit comes after a panel of experts hired by Portuguese bishops reported in February that at least 4,815 boys and girls may have been abused by church personnel since 1950. The Vatican said Francis met with 13 abuse survivors at the Vatican Embassy on Wednesday evening.
Pope says anguished cry of abuse victims must be heard
tribune.net.ph - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tribune.net.ph Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Pope, in Portugal to Rally Young Catholics, Says Church Needs Purification
voanews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from voanews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Pope Francis has met with survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Portugal, and the Vatican says he listened intently to them. After arriving in Lisbon for the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day festival, Francis also blasted members of Portugal’s Catholic hierarchy for their response to the country’s sex abuse scandal. He said it had marred the church and helped drive the faithful away. Francis’ five-day visit comes after a panel of experts hired by Portuguese bishops reported in February that at least 4,815 boys and girls may have been abused by church personnel since 1950. The Vatican said Francis met with 13 abuse survivors at the Vatican Embassy on Wednesday evening.