ROMA (ITALPRESS) – “I want to mention the problem, which is still today really a wound in the life of the Church in many places, which is precisely the crisis because of sexual abuse. We can’t close our eyes and not even hearts. I would like to say, also encouraging you to share it in your turn with the bishops: so many times the pain of the victims was stronger because they were not welcomed and listened. Abuse itself causes a deep wound that perhaps lasts all life; but so many times the scandal in the Church is because the door was closed and the victims were not welcomed, accompanied by the closeness of authentic pastors. A victim, a short time ago, told me that for her the most painful thing was precisely that no bishop wanted to listen to her. And so also there: listening is deeply important.” Pope Leo XIV said this during the final intervention at the Extraordinary Consistory of 7 and 8 January, announced today by the Holy See.
“The formation of all. Formation in seminars, priests, bishops, lay collaborators must be rooted in the ordinary and concrete life of the local Church, parishes and many other significant places where people meet, especially those who suffer – the Holy Father added. As you have seen here, it is not enough one or two days and not a week to get deep into a theme so as to live it. It would therefore be important that our ordinary way of working together is an opportunity for formation and growth for those with whom we work, at all levels, from the parish to the Roman Curia. An example of where one can grow regularly in a synodal style are pastoral visits; and all the participating bodies are also to be revitalised.”.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
