🔗 Share this article Victims of Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Voice Optimism Following Encounter with the Pontiff End Clergy Abuse Global representatives and survivors pose in Vatican Square after the encounter with Pope Leo Individuals who experienced sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have voiced renewed hope following their initial meeting with Pope Leo at the Holy See. Gemma Hickey, heading Ending Clergy Abuse, commented that the pontiff's decision to engage with them so early in his leadership sent a strong message about his commitment to addressing the problem. Worldwide Strict Approach Advocated The organization is pushing for a worldwide strict approach that would defrock any clergy member who confesses to or is found guilty of abusing a minor. This approach has been implemented in the US. The Pontiff recognized that there is "opposition in certain regions of the world" to this initiative, according to the representative. "We were all being realistic when we recognized that there is resistance," they stated. Inherited Issue The new Pope, who assumed the role in spring, has taken on this persistent problem that has plagued the Catholic Church for many years. Previous efforts to resolve the situation included an historic meeting on paedophilia within the Church and revisions to church laws to clearly outlaw sexual abuse. Personal Link For Hickey, who prefers gender-neutral pronouns, the campaign for global implementation of the measure is personal. The North American activist revealed they were abused by a clergy member who was subsequently transferred between different parishes. "We trust this will establish the direction for his papacy, because we want to collaborate with him," Hickey stated. "Both sides share the same goal, we want to eliminate clergy abuse." Significant Meeting Seven members of the coalition, which represents survivors and supporters from more than 30 nations, met with the Pope in his official residence. The discussion, originally scheduled for a brief period, lasted to a sixty minutes, during which the Pope "mostly listened to us," according to Hickey. The Pope was characterized as "quite empathetic" when hearing the account of a woman abused at a Catholic residential school for Indigenous children in Canada. They added the leader was "tender" about their personal story and appeared "very humble, humorous, and very down to earth." "Survivors have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't perceive like he was making empty promises," they stated. "I felt like he was genuine, practical, and very open and keen to collaborate with us." Pope Leo leads religious service in the Vatican on 19 October Canon Law Changes The organization is hoping that revisions to church regulations will enable the adoption of the zero-tolerance policy worldwide. They have consulted specialists and gathered documents that they will present to Pope Leo. "He seemed interested in reviewing it," they remarked. Accountability Highlighted A recent church-ordered document emphasized the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the resignation and/or dismissal of Church leaders or personnel in cases of misconduct or failure to act." The document also noted that survivors repeatedly stressed the "urgent need for church leaders and senior officials to be made responsible for negligence and concealment." Moving Forward Hickey revealed they told the pontiff at the beginning of their discussion: "This represents as much a risk for him to participate in a conversation as it was for us." After the encounter, Hickey expressed optimism for progress. "We understand it's not something that's going to be resolved quickly, but at the end of the day, coming together and building a connection and persisting to strengthen that relationship is a move in the correct path," they commented. They concluded that they shared with the pontiff: "Just because it's a difficult period, I believe like we can alter how the story ends - he appreciated that."