Pope Francis met yesterday with the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and told him to move forward in dealing with sexual abuse cases, to protect minors from such violence, to help those who have been abused, and emphasized that episcopal conferences throughout the world form and implement necessary directives to deal with sexual abuse cases. He spoke of his awareness, attention, and prayers for victims of abuse.
This is good news. Not that previous pope’s haven’t had the same concerns, but rather, that from what I can tell, this is one of the first things to which Pope Francis is bringing his attention. I also heard through the grapevine that he may make significant changes in the Vatican Bank, or even close it entirely. How the Vatican has responded to victims of sexual abuse and how it has responded to financial matters have been issues that have damaged the Church’s credibility and her efforts to witness to the Gospel in today’s world, at least that is the fallout in many people’s minds and experience. Thus, I am encouraged to see the Holy Father taking these issues on so early in his pontificate.
Reminds me of what is understood to have been a concern of Pope John Paul I back in his short 33 day papacy in 1978. He too was reported to have been quite concerned about the Vatican bank and had a desire to reform it. Unfortunately, he died before much if anything happened.
May our Holy Father find success in his efforts to bring forward the changes needed to care for those who have been wounded and in need, to care for the poor and the outcast for whom the Church has a preferential option, and to strengthen the Church’s credibility in spreading the Gospel throughout the world today.
