Pope Francis has sent a letter of support to countless priests around the world who are facing backlash and getting “blamed for crimes they did not commit” amid the Catholic church abuse scandal.
While he expressed that the Church is ready to be reformed in order to make sure “that the culture of abuse will have no time to develop, much less continue,” he also acknowledged the suffering that many priests are going through because they “feel themselves attacked and blamed for crimes they did not commit.”
According to Pope Francis, the church doesn’t want to deny or dismiss the harm done by abuse scandals involving Catholic priests.point 239 |
However, he also believes “it would be unfair not to express our gratitude” to all those who “faithfully and generously” performed their duties without ever getting involved in forbidden acts.point 171 | 1
The 5,000-word letter followed after plenty of priests shared “their outrage at what happened and their frustration that for all their hard work, they have to face the damage that was one, the suspicion and uncertainty to which it has given rise, and the doubts, fears and disheartenment felt by more than a few.”
“If in the past, omission may itself have been a kind of response, today we desire conversion, transparency, sincerity and solidarity with the victims,” the Pope added.
On last August, following the disturbing revelations including dozens of cases in which the priests were found guilty of abusing minors, Francis issued a letter in which he begged the victims for forgiveness and claimed the Catholic Church will do whatever it takes to eliminate abuse and cover-ups within its ranks.
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