🔗 Share this article

People who endured sexual abuse by church officials have voiced renewed hope after their first encounter with the new Pope at the Holy See.

The board president, heading Ending Clergy Abuse, stated that the Pope's choice to engage with them so soon in his papacy spoke volumes about his dedication to tackling the issue.

Worldwide Zero-Tolerance Approach Pushed

The group is pushing for a global strict approach that would defrock any priest who confesses to or is proven of abusing a child. This approach has already been adopted in the US.

The Pope acknowledged that there is "resistance in certain regions of the world" to this initiative, according to Hickey.

"Everyone was practical when we recognized that there is resistance," they stated.

Inherited Challenge

The new Pope, who took the position in spring, has taken on this longstanding problem that has haunted the Church for decades.

Earlier attempts to address the problem included an historic meeting on paedophilia within the institution and changes to canon law to clearly outlaw sexual abuse.

Deeply Felt Connection

For Hickey, who prefers they/them pronouns, the drive for global implementation of the policy is personal. The Canadian advocate shared they were abused by a clergy member who was later moved between various churches.

"We trust this will establish the direction for his papacy, because we aim to collaborate with him," Hickey expressed. "Both sides share the common objective, we want to end abuse by religious officials."

Significant Encounter

Seven representatives of the coalition, which represents survivors and supporters from over thirty nations, met with the Pontiff in his official residence.

The discussion, originally scheduled for a brief period, extended to a full hour, during which the religious leader "primarily heard to us," according to Hickey.

The pontiff was characterized as "very understanding" when listening to the story of a female survivor victimized at a church-run institution for native youth in North America.

They noted the Pope was "tender" about their personal story and appeared "very humble, funny, and very down to earth."

"Survivors have long wanted a voice in discussions and I didn't perceive like he was giving us lip service," Hickey commented. "I believed like he was sincere, realistic, and very open and eager to work with us."

Church Regulations Changes

The group is hoping that changes to church regulations will facilitate the adoption of the zero-tolerance policy globally.

They have consulted specialists and compiled documents that they will submit to Pope Leo.

"He seemed engaged in looking at it," they noted.

Responsibility Emphasized

A recently released Vatican-commissioned document emphasized the "necessity of a streamlined protocol for the stepping down and/or dismissal of religious officials or staff in cases of abuse or negligence."

The report also noted that victims repeatedly stressed the "urgent need for church leaders and major superiors to be held accountable for inaction and concealment."

Moving Forward

Hickey revealed they told the Pope at the beginning of their discussion: "This represents as much a challenge for him to participate in a conversation as it was for us."

After the meeting, they voiced 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 establishing a relationship and continuing to build that relationship is a move in the correct path," they commented.

Hickey added that they told with the pontiff: "Just because it's a difficult period, I believe like we can alter how the narrative concludes - he appreciated that."