"Just last month, Pope Francis told an Italian reporter that he thought the Catholic church was the only institution to have addressed abuse "with such transparency and responsibility." Then last week, the Vatican turned around and backed a new policy by Italian bishops that does not require church officials to report suspected child abuse. The bishops cited concerns over privacy. Luckily, Catholic advocates responded with concern for children. Groups like Bishop Accountability and Catholic Whistleblowers shine a light on the truth of abuse and keep the Vatican from perpetuating the ongoing cover-up...
Later this month, the Vatican will canonize two saints known both for their incredible strides but also for their systemic cover-up of abuse. Pope John XXIII issued a confidential document to bishops asking them to keep mum on abuse cases, and Pope John Paul II let known perpetrators such as Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado of the Legionaries remain undisciplined. ,,
It can be easy to lose hope when I hear stories about church officials retaining the power to hide child sex crimes or commissions being led by those responsible for covering up abuse. I hear people say, "It would take a miracle to change the Vatican."
But I have no doubt the abuse crisis will eventually end because whistleblowers and lawyers, survivors and allies are working together to end the cover-up."
Bridget Mary's Response:
Sadly, it does not look like the Vatican has changed when they support lack of transparency in the case of the Italian bishops.
The culture of cover-up by the Vatican continues. Tragic, indeed.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
No comments:
Post a Comment