Pope Francis Condemns Portuguese Catholic Church Leaders Over Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal

Title: Pope Francis Condemns Portuguese Catholic Church Leaders for Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Pope Francis arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday to attend the World Youth Day Catholic festival and wasted no time addressing the clergy sex abuse scandal that has rocked the country’s Catholic Church. The Pope criticized the church leaders for their role in the scandal, stating that their actions have driven the faithful away and demanding that they change their ways and treat victims better.

The Portuguese church has been grappling with the issue of clergy sex abuse for years. In February, a panel of experts hired by the church revealed that priests and other church personnel may have abused at least 4,815 boys and girls since 1950. This report was a significant revelation, as Portuguese church officials had previously downplayed the extent of the problem.

Initially, the church officials refused to remove named abusers from ministry or compensate the victims. However, following the release of the report, they faced mounting pressure to take action. In February, hundreds of people gathered at the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon to pray for abuse victims, and it was during this vigil service that Pope Francis raised the issue and demanded that bishops respond better to abuse victims.

During his speech, Pope Francis acknowledged the weariness felt by clergy and nuns in countries with once-thriving parishes due to the detachment of the Catholic faithful from their faith. He emphasized the need for a humble and ongoing purification of the church, starting with listening to the anguished cries of the victims.

The Pope is expected to meet privately with abuse survivors during his visit to Portugal, as he has done in the past during foreign trips. Bishop Jose Ornelas, the head of the Portuguese bishops’ conference, also pledged to prioritize the protection of children and prevent all forms of abuse.

In March, the Portuguese Catholic Church announced plans to build a memorial to the victims, which was supposed to be unveiled during World Youth Day. However, the organizers recently scrapped the plan. In response, victims’ advocates launched a campaign called “This is our memorial” and erected a billboard in central Lisbon reading “4,800+ Children Abused by the Catholic Church in Portugal.” The success of their crowdfunding campaign means more billboards may be displayed around the city.

Pope Francis’ visit to Portugal for World Youth Day is his fourth participation in the event. The festival, initiated by St. John Paul II in the 1980s, aims to invigorate the faith of the next generation of Catholics. Over one million young people from around the world are expected to attend the events in Lisbon.

As the Pope travels to Portugal, he continues to encourage young people to “make a mess,” urging them to shake things up in their parishes. His revolutionary reforms have brought significant changes to the Catholic Church.

During his visit, Pope Francis also addressed Portuguese government authorities and the diplomatic corps, emphasizing the need for courageous actions to build a peaceful future. He expressed his hope that World Youth Day would inspire openness and unity in Europe.

The Pope’s visit coincides with hot weather in Lisbon, with temperatures expected to reach 35°C (95°F) on Sunday. Despite the heat, many young people are expected to camp out in Tagus Park for the festival. Participants have been provided with reusable water bottles and sunhats, with concerns raised about the Pope’s health following his recent hospitalization.

The Associated Press’ religion coverage is supported by its collaboration with The Conversation US, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP takes sole responsibility for this content.Pope Francis Condemns Catholic Church Leaders for Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal in Portugal

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Pope Francis arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday and wasted no time addressing the clergy sex abuse scandal that has rocked the country’s Catholic Church. In a scathing rebuke, the Pope criticized church leaders for their role in the scandal, saying their actions have driven the faithful away and demanding that they change their ways and treat victims better.

The scandal came to light earlier this year when a panel of experts hired by the Portuguese church reported that priests and other church personnel may have abused at least 4,815 boys and girls since 1950. This revelation was a stark contrast to the claims made by church officials, who had previously insisted that there were only a few isolated cases. Furthermore, after the report was released, the officials initially refused to remove named abusers from ministry or compensate the victims.

During a vigil service for Portuguese clergy and nuns at the Jeronimos Monastery, the Pope called on bishops to better respond to abuse victims by accepting and listening to them. He acknowledged the weariness felt by clergy and nuns in countries with once-thriving parishes, attributing it to the disappointment and anger caused by the church’s poor witness and the scandals that have tarnished its reputation.

Pope Francis is expected to meet privately with abuse survivors during his visit to Portugal, as he has done in the past during foreign trips. Bishop Jose Ornelas, the head of the Portuguese bishops’ conference, pledged to prioritize the protection of children and to safeguard them from all forms of abuse.

In March, the Portuguese Catholic Church promised to build a memorial to the victims, which was supposed to be unveiled during the World Youth Day festival. However, the plan was scrapped, and instead, victims’ advocates launched a campaign called “This is our memorial.” They erected a billboard in central Lisbon reading “4,800+ Children Abused by the Catholic Church in Portugal,” which was funded through a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Pope Francis arrived in Lisbon to participate in the World Youth Day festival, an event launched by St. John Paul II in the 1980s to inspire the next generation of Catholics in their faith. Over one million young people from around the world were expected to attend the events in Lisbon, which will continue until Saturday.

As he traveled to Portugal, the Pope expressed his desire to encourage young people to “make a mess,” referring to his famous exhortation during his first World Youth Day in 2013. This call for young people to shake things up in their parishes has come to symbolize Francis’ revolutionary reforms within the Catholic Church.

During his visit, Pope Francis also addressed Portuguese government authorities and the diplomatic corps, emphasizing the need for courageous actions to build peace in the face of global challenges such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, global warming, and Europe’s aging population. He urged young people to take up the responsibility of shaping a better future together.

The Pope’s visit to Portugal coincides with hot weather, with temperatures expected to reach 35°C (95°F) on Sunday. Many young participants will be camping out in the unshaded Tagus Park, raising concerns for their well-being. Additionally, there are concerns for Pope Francis’ health, as the 86-year-old pontiff recently underwent surgery to repair a hernia and remove scar tissue from previous intestinal surgeries.

The Associated Press’ religion coverage is supported by its collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for the content.

What actions does Pope Francis call for in response to the clergy sex abuse scandal in the Portuguese Catholic Church?

Pope Francis Condemns Portuguese Catholic Church Leaders for Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal

Pope Francis has chastised the leaders of the Portuguese Catholic Church for their involvement in the clergy sex abuse scandal that has rocked the country’s Catholic Church. During his visit to Lisbon for the World Youth Day Catholic festival, the Pope addressed the issue, criticizing church officials for their actions and calling for change. The scandal, which reportedly involved the abuse of thousands of boys and girls, has caused a significant rift among the faithful and has led to mounting pressure on the church to take action. Throughout his visit, Pope Francis has emphasized the need for the church to listen to victims and prioritize their treatment and support. The Pope is also expected to meet privately with abuse survivors during his time in Portugal.