In a historic move, Pope Leo XIV engaged in a dialogue with survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, as reported by participants on Monday. The meeting, facilitated by Ending Clergy Abuse, a global coalition of survivors, involved four victims and two advocates and lasted approximately an hour. This encounter marked a significant moment of open communication.
The Catholic Church, with its 1.4 billion members, has faced ongoing scandals worldwide related to abuse and subsequent cover-ups. A recent report by the Vatican’s child protection commission criticized senior bishops for their delayed responses in assisting victims and lack of transparency in dealing with abusive cases.
Canadian survivor Gemma Hickey, who was present at the meeting, described Pope Leo as attentive and empathetic during their discussion in his Vatican office. Hickey emphasized the survivors’ commitment to seeking truth, justice, and healing together with the Church.
Pope Leo, the first American pope elected on May 8, succeeded the late Pope Francis. Participants shared that Leo expressed his struggle to comprehend the magnitude of the Church’s scandals and conveyed a sense of hope following the meeting, as stated by Ugandan survivor Janet Aguti.
The survivors urged Pope Leo to establish a global zero-tolerance policy for accused priests, a measure they have long advocated for. Timothy Law, a co-founder of Ending Clergy Abuse, highlighted the existing zero-tolerance law among U.S. bishops enacted in 2002 after the Boston abuse scandals and questioned the possibility of implementing a universal policy.
Prior to becoming Pope, Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, had engaged with survivors during his missionary and bishopric duties in Peru. The survivors’ meeting with Pope Leo XIV signifies a significant step forward in addressing the Church’s ongoing challenges concerning clergy abuse.