Chile sex abuse: Pope Francis
begs forgiveness for “serious mistakes”
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| Pope Francis in prayer (file photo). |
Pope Francis has written to the Bishops of Chile, calling
for their help in healing open wounds caused by “errors and sins” in the
handling of clerical sex abuse cases.
By Christopher Wells
In a remarkable letter addressed to the Bishops of Chile,
Pope Francis admits to making “serious mistakes in the assessment and
perception of the situation” of clerical sexual abuse.
The Holy Father says he was moved to write the letter after
he carefully read the report delivered to him by two special envoys sent to Chile
for the express purpose of listening to the stories of victims. Archbishop
Charles Scicluna of Malta and Fr Jordi Bertomeu Farnós were dispatched to
receive testimony from alleged victims of clerical sexual abuse after the Pope
was publicly criticized for his handling of the case of Bishop Juan Barros, who
is accused of covering up, and even participating in, the abuse of men and boys
by another priest.
Sorrow and shame
In his letter, Pope Francis affirms that “the collected
testimonies speak in a stark way, without additives or sweeteners, of many
crucified lives, and I confess to you that that causes me sorrow and shame,” he
writes.
Asking forgiveness
The Pope also acknowledges his own responsibility, saying “I
have made serious mistakes in the assessment and perception of the situation,
especially due to the lack of truthful and balanced information.” He requests
forgiveness “from all those I have offended,” and says he will be meeting with
representatives of the people interviewed, in order to apologize personally.
Bishops called to Rome
In view of the ongoing grave situation, Pope Francis
“humbly” requests the “collaboration and assistance” of the Bishops “in the
discernment of the short, medium, and long-term measures to be adopted in order
to re-establish ecclesial communion in Chile, with the goal of repairing the
scandal as much as possible, and re-establishing justice.”
To that end, the Pope says he intends to call all the
Bishops of Chile to Rome for discussions, leaving the timing of the visit to
the Bishops’ Conference.
Throughout his letter, Pope Francis emphasizes the need for
prayer. And, he says, he wants to share with the Bishops “the conviction that
the present difficulties are also an occasion to re-establish trust in the
Church, a trust broken by our errors and sins; and to heal wounds that do not
cease to bleed in the whole of Chilean society.”
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