Pope Francis Calls for ‘Decisive Action’ on Clerical Sex Abuse : The Two-Way : NPR
Pope Francis told his staff to take “decisive action” when it comes to cases of clerical sex abuse of minors.
In a statement, the Vatican said the pontiff ordered the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to “act decisively as far as cases of sexual abuse are concerned, promoting, above all, measures to protect minors, help for those who have suffered such violence in the past (and) the necessary procedures against those who are guilty.”
The BBC reports this was the new pope’s first public statement on the issue, which has plagued the church for years.
More: Pope Francis Calls for ‘Decisive Action’ on Clerical Sex Abuse : The Two-Way : NPR
To go with the many small actions he’s taken since his installation, we now get the inklings of the first big action.
I am still skittish about him on this issue having seen so much damage done and all the attempts to sweep it under the carpet. If he can stay on the job for a decade and continue to make progress cleaning house he may well be as important a reformer of the church as his namesake was 800 years ago.
I pray that this truly is the beginning of a new day by and for the Bishop of Rome.