In a meeting with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, Pope Francis encouraged child protection advocates to seek spiritual healing and reparation for abuse victims.
Embracing Spirituality of Reparation
The Pope commended the commission for its ongoing efforts to address the issue of abuse within the church. He stressed the importance of a holistic approach that addresses the legal and pastoral aspects of the case and the spiritual.
According to a report from the National Catholic Register, the Pope said that “spiritual healing is essential in addressing the harm caused by abuse.” He encouraged commission members to “embrace a spirituality of reparation.”
The Pope also called on the commission to continue promoting greater awareness of the abuse, its impact on victims, and its efforts to support and care for survivors.
As mentioned, the meeting comes as the church grapples with the abuse scandals that have rocked it in recent years. In his remarks, the Pope acknowledged the pain and suffering caused by these scandals and expressed his commitment to addressing them head-on.
An article in America Magazine reported that the commission has been implementing several initiatives to prevent abuse and promote greater transparency and accountability within the church. These include establishing guidelines for the protection of minors, training church personnel in child protection, and developing protocols for responding to allegations of abuse.
The commission has also been working to promote greater collaboration between the church and civil authorities in addressing the issue of abuse.
Moreover, in his closing remarks, the Pope thanked the commission members for their dedication to the cause of protecting minors and for their ongoing efforts to address the issue of abuse within the church. He urged them to continue their work with a renewed sense of commitment and purpose and always to remember the importance of seeking spiritual healing and reparation for abuse victims.