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| Pope Francis and young people from Portugal on the window of the Apostolic Palace |
Portuguese Vatican journalist, Aura Miguel, has confirmed that Pope Francis will undoubtedly discuss the sensitive topic of abuse during his visit. Known for his candid approach, the Pope is not likely to shy away from addressing the painful experiences endured by the victims.
However, the meeting with the victims will be conducted with utmost discretion. Victims have been contacted and given the freedom to decide whether or not to meet with the Holy Father.
This is not the first time such a meeting has taken place. In 2008, during the World Youth Day held in Sydney, Pope Benedict XVI held a meeting with anonymous abuse victims at the Nunciature. A similar approach could be expected during Pope Francis' visit to Lisbon.
Earlier in 2023, an independent commission appointed by the Church in Portugal conducted a year-long investigation into abuse committed by priests against young children spanning from 1950 to 2022. The findings were deeply disturbing, as the commission revealed that at least 4,815 minors had been sexually abused during this period, with more than 500 accusations deemed credible. Shockingly, almost 60% of these cases occurred between the 1960s and 1980s, and 77% of the perpetrators were priests.
The commission highlighted that in certain regions, the abuse reached "truly endemic proportions." Although the statute of limitations had expired in most cases, the commission forwarded 25 testimonies to the public prosecutor's office.
In response to the report's findings, the commission presented several recommendations. These included extending the statute of limitations for crimes of sexual abuse against minors to the victims' 30th birthday, in contrast to the current law that sets the limit at the age of 23. Controversially, the commission also suggested considering lifting the secrecy of confession in cases where there are overlapping clues related to abuse.
The latter recommendation sparked debate at the highest levels of the government, with the Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal Manuel Clemente, defending the absolute seal of confession during a parliamentary hearing on May 2. The commission's coordinator criticized the Church's ambivalent reaction to the report, emphasizing the importance of addressing the issue transparently.
Aura Miguel acknowledged that the independent commission had undertaken an arduous and demanding task. However, she expressed concerns about the sensationalist approach taken while presenting the report and drawing conclusions. She believes that the Church's mysterious nature has been misunderstood by many, yet she also praised the Church for displaying more courage than other institutions in Portugal by appointing an independent commission and making its findings public.
In response to the report, the Church hierarchy in Portugal gathered at the Fatima shrine on April 20 for a prayer session. During this meeting, Bishop José Ornelas, President of the Portuguese Bishops' Conference, humbly asked for forgiveness from the survivors of sexual abuse within the Church.
Subsequently, on April 26, the bishops established a new commission called "Life Group," led by psychologist Rute Agulhas and comprising specialists dedicated to receiving complaints and providing support for victims.
As Pope Francis prepares to embark on his visit to Portugal for World Youth Day, the issue of sexual abuse within the Church remains a crucial topic that demands attention, transparency, and reconciliation. The planned meeting with abuse survivors shows the Pope's commitment to addressing the pain caused by this dark chapter in the Church's history and seeking a path towards healing and justice.
