The Pope to victims of abuse: ‘I am committed to ensuring this does not happen again’

‘In recent years, you have tackled with determination the painful scourge of child abuse committed by members of the clergy or within the Church. You have taken courageous measures to address this, through listening, the search for truth, justice, forgiveness, reparation and a firm commitment to fostering a culture of prevention and protection against such crimes. I thank you for all you have done, and I know that there have been some very difficult moments for your Conference. It is right to continue along the path you have taken, whilst remaining ever vigilant.”

The Pope’s appeal therefore emphasises the continuity of the action already underway: listening, establishing the truth, justice, redress and prevention remain the key elements for tackling the scourge of abuse.

The issue of abuse cannot be ignored. This was stated by the spokesperson for the French Bishops’ Conference, Monsignor Pierre-Antoine Bozo, on the sidelines of the meeting between the bishops and the Pope in Lourdes. “The fact that there is to be a meeting between the Pope and the victims, which forms part of his visit to France, shows that we cannot ignore this issue and that it must always be a matter of concern for us,” he said, adding that it would be a private meeting between Pope Leo and seven victims, without the bishops being present. Regarding the controversy in France over the failure to invite victim support organisations to this afternoon’s meeting, Monsignor Bozo replied: “What helps us in supporting the victims is listening to them, and to listen to them, you cannot have fifty people in front of you. So this is precisely what the Pope wanted, and, in any case, what transforms us bishops is that we listen to the victims. This is how we can respond appropriately in terms of recognition, reparation, the care we provide for them, and also to ensure that the Church makes progress in remaining vigilant.”

The decision to cover the mosaics by Marko Rupnik – the former Jesuit accused of abuse – in Lourdes was ‘the right choice’. This was stated by the spokesperson for the French Bishops’ Conference, Monsignor Pierre-Antoine Bozo, on the sidelines of the meeting between the Pope and the French bishops. According to the spokesperson, those works “carried too heavy a symbolic burden for the victims”; “out of respect for them, I believe it was necessary to take this step”, he emphasised, clarifying that the decision was taken by the Bishop of Lourdes, Monsignor Jean-Marc Micas, and not by the Bishops’ Conference. “It was a first step; next, we will need to propose something beautiful – we have artists for that.”

The Pope’s visit is taking place in front of a particularly large crowd. According to figures released by the Vatican Press Office, around 150,000 faithful are attending Mass on the Prairie at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

In his homily, Leo XIV extended a special greeting to the French pilgrims who had travelled from all the provinces and dioceses of the country.

‘I would like to extend a special greeting to the pilgrims who have come from all the provinces and dioceses of France. Today you tread upon the soil of this blessed land which has received so many graces. May this pilgrimage rekindle the flame of faith in your homes and in your parishes. Take the comfort of Lourdes to your neighbours, your loved ones and the whole French people.”

In his address during the celebration, the Pope linked the pilgrimage to Lourdes to the life of French communities and parishes, inviting the faithful to bring back to their own local areas the spiritual significance of the experience they had had at the Sanctuary.

However, the message addressed to the bishops maintains a clear stance on the issue of abuse: whilst the progress made in recent years is acknowledged, the request is not to let up on vigilance and to continue to strengthen prevention and protection measures.