Pope Francis Rebukes Members of Portugal Catholic Church for Ignoring Clergy Sexual Abuse

Pope Francis lashed out at members of Portugal’s Catholic hierarchy for their negligence of clergy sexual abuse in Portugal. He said the sexual scandal has marred the Catholic Church and pushed the faithful away. 

The scandal, which was brought to light by courageous survivors and a report, reveals a long-standing pattern of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church’s ranks in Portugal. Revelations of such heinous acts have ignited a fierce public outcry, with citizens demanding justice and accountability. 

Keep Reading

The Pope said many clergy and nuns in countries with once-thriving Catholic parishes feel weary about their vocations because the faithful are increasingly detached from their faith. “It is often accentuated by the disappointment and anger with which some people view the church, at times to our poor witness and the scandals that have marred her face and call us to a humble and ongoing purification starting with the anguished cry of the victims, who must always be accepted and listened to.” 

Bishop Jose Ornelas, the head of the Portuguese Bishops’ Conference promised Pope Francis to devote “our special attention to the protection of the welfare of children and the undertaking to protect them from all kinds of abuse”. The Bishops’ Conference said the pope’s meeting with abuse survivors was evidence of the path of reconciliation that the Portuguese church has been following in this area. It said they are committed to putting the victims first and working together with victims on reparations and their recovery. 

The Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal Manuel Clemente, said he was fully committed to addressing the issue. “But many groups here representing those victims say that they are angered and deeply frustrated by how the church has been dealing with or rather fails to deal with the distress that has been felt by those victims.” 

The extent of the scandal is being closely scrutinized by the global Catholic community, which has long struggled with numerous sexual abuse allegations involving clergy members worldwide. The systematic abuse has marred the reputation of the Catholic Church, leading to widespread outrage and loss of faith in its leadership.

Tags: Pope Francis
Katherine S

1/4 German, 3/4 Malaysian. I write, follow and monitor closely political news happening in Malaysia, and other happening news in the ASEAN region. Newswriter for the best ASEAN news website - The Asian Affairs.

Recent Posts

Netflix Becomes a Surprising Hub for Shojo Anime Fans

Long prized for its romantic themes, nuanced characters, and emphasis on personal development, shojo anime has become an unexpected Netflix…

November 5, 2024

Indonesia Extends Sales Ban to Google Pixel Following Non-Compliance with Investment Requirements

Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry has implemented a ban on the sale of Google Pixel phones within the country, adding to…

November 4, 2024

One Piece Unveils Revamped Fish-Man Island Saga with New Opening Theme as Anime Prepares for 2025 Return

One Piece offers a new take of the legendary Fish-Man Island arc, so fans are in for a nostalgic trip…

November 4, 2024

Johor to Pioneer Premium Salaries for Skilled Workers as Malaysia’s First State Initiative under Johor-Singapore SEZ

Particularly in areas related to the forthcoming Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), Johor is poised to become the first state…

November 4, 2024

China-Japan Diplomatic Groundwork Laid Ahead of Anticipated Xi-Ishiba Summit in South America

China and Japan are getting ready for what would be a historic meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and freshly…

November 4, 2024

Philippines Triumphs with Fifth Consecutive East Asia Baseball Cup Title

Celebrating their fifth straight East Asia Baseball Cup title, the Philippines men's baseball team savored a historic triumph. Sunday in…

November 4, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More