Pope meets abuse victims in Spain, calls it a 'plague'

Pope Francis met privately with six victims of clerical abuse in Spain, describing the ongoing scandal as a "plague" that the Church must confront with "real paths of healing."

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During the conversation, that lasted almost an hour, from their painful personal experiences, each of the attendees offered the Pope some proposals to make the Church's response to such dramatic cases more effective.

During the nearly hour-long meeting, each victim shared personal experiences and offered proposals to the Pope on how the Church can more effectively address such dramatic cases. The Vatican reported that Pope Francis listened with affection and attention, assuring the victims of his closeness and the Church community's commitment. He pledged that their suggestions would form the basis for future efforts to ensure the Church is a safe and spiritually healthy environment.

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The Pope listened with affection and attention, assured his closeness, and that of the entire ecclesial community, and his commitment so that the proposals received may be the basis for future efforts and the Church may be truly a safe and spiritually healthy place, where wounds find comfort and healing.

Earlier, addressing over one hundred bishops of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, the Pontiff identified the abuse of power by those meant to protect, including clergy members, as one of the most painful "moments of darkness" the Church has faced. He stated that the ecclesial community is called to respond with listening, truth, justice, reparation, and a determined commitment to prevention and a culture of care. "Every wounded person must be able to find sincere listening, welcome, protection, and real paths of healing," he added.

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One of the most painful is with those who have been wounded precisely by those who should have cared for them, even by members of the clergy.

The Pope acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, calling it an "open wound" during his flight to Spain. He noted that while it is impossible to meet every victim, he is committed to addressing the problem. A report by the Ombudsman estimated that around 200,000 minors in Spain may have been victims of sexual abuse by clergy since 1940. King Felipe VI referenced this "horror" in his welcome speech, underscoring the societal impact of the scandal.

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Faced with this plague, the ecclesial community is called to respond with listening, truth, justice, reparation, and an ever more decided commitment to prevention and a culture of care.