🔗 Share this article

Individuals who endured abuse by church officials have voiced renewed hope after their first meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican.

The board president, heading Ending Clergy Abuse, stated that the Pope's choice to engage with them so soon in his leadership sent a strong message about his commitment to addressing the issue.

Worldwide Strict Approach Advocated

The group is advocating for a global strict approach that would permanently remove any priest who admits to or is found guilty of abusing a minor. This approach has already been adopted in the US.

The Pontiff acknowledged that there is "opposition in some parts of the world" to this initiative, according to the representative.

"We were all being realistic when we recognized that there is resistance," Hickey stated.

Legacy Challenge

The current pontiff, who took the position in May, has inherited this persistent problem that has plagued the Church for many years.

Earlier attempts to resolve 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 uses gender-neutral pronouns, the campaign for worldwide adoption of the policy is deeply meaningful. The Canadian advocate revealed they were victimized by a priest who was later moved between various churches.

"We trust this will establish the direction for his leadership, because we want to collaborate with him," they expressed. "Both sides share the same goal, we seek to end abuse by religious officials."

Significant Meeting

Seven members of the coalition, which includes victims and supporters from more than 30 countries, met with the Pontiff in his Vatican office.

The meeting, originally scheduled for a brief period, extended to a full hour, during which the Pope "mostly listened to us," according to Hickey.

The pontiff was described as "quite empathetic" when hearing the account of a woman abused at a church-run institution for Indigenous children in Canada.

They added the leader was "compassionate" about their own story and appeared "modest, humorous, and very down to earth."

"Victims have long wanted a voice in discussions and I didn't perceive like he was making empty promises," Hickey stated. "I felt like he was genuine, practical, and very open and eager to collaborate with us."

Canon Law Reforms

The organization is advocating that revisions to canon law will facilitate the adoption of the strict approach worldwide.

They have spoken with specialists and compiled materials that they will submit to the pontiff.

"He appeared interested in looking at it," Hickey noted.

Responsibility Highlighted

A recent Vatican-commissioned document emphasized the "necessity of a streamlined protocol for the stepping down and/or dismissal of religious officials or personnel in cases of misconduct or failure to act."

The document also noted that survivors consistently emphasized the "urgent need for church leaders and major superiors to be made responsible for negligence and concealment."

Moving Forward

Hickey shared they informed the pontiff at the beginning of their meeting: "This is as much a risk for him to participate in a conversation as it was for us."

Following the meeting, Hickey expressed hope for progress.

"We realise it's not something that's going to be resolved quickly, but at the conclusion, coming together and building a relationship and continuing to strengthen that relationship is a move in the right direction," they stated.

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