An influential cardinal castigated Thursday, February 17 in the Vatican the “criminal behavior concealed for too long to protect the institutionin the crisis that the Church is going through on sexual assaults on minors, at the opening of an important colloquium on the priesthood in the presence of Pope Francis.
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In the context of the “drama of sexual abuse committed by clerics», «we are all torn and humbled by these crucial questions that challenge us every day as members of the Churchsaid Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet in his opening address in the Paul VI Hall, before many religious and secular leaders. “Should we not rather abstain from speaking of the priesthood when the sins and crimes of unworthy ministers make the headlines of the international press (…)?asked Bishop Ouellet, close to the pope and main organizer of these three days of theological reflection on the role of priests.
request for forgiveness
“This is a propitious occasion to express our sincere regret and again ask for forgiveness from the victims who have seen their lives destroyed by criminal behavior that has been concealed for too long and treated lightly in order to protect the institution and the culprits rather than the victims.added Bishop Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, one of the most important functions of the Roman Curia (Vatican government). “This symposium takes note of the outcry and anger of the people of God, so we are here to unite our voices with those who demand truth and justice.“. Pope Francis did not bring up the subject in his speech, which focused on four “pillarsfrom his personal experience.
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Again slaying theclericalism“, he insisted on the”Don” from “celibacyof priests, whoto be experienced as sanctification, requires healthy relationships“. “Without friends and without prayer, celibacy can become an unbearable burden and a counter-witness to the very beauty of the priesthood.“, did he declare. Some 500 people are due to participate until Saturday in this international colloquium on the priesthood, the most important event organized in the Vatican since the health crisis, while the figure of the priest is marred by new reports on the extent of sexual violence against minors. in many countries. On Tuesday, Italian victims’ associations launched an unprecedented campaign to demand an independent investigation in line with those carried out in Germany or France.