Pope Leo XIV asks French bishops to maintain “maximum vigilance” against child abuse

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday asked the French bishops to continue working with "the utmost vigilance" regarding cases of child abuse committed by members of the clergy or within the Church, during a meeting held in Lourdes as part of his visit to France. "In recent years, you have confronted with firmness the painful scourge of child abuse committed by members of the clergy or within the Church. You have taken courageous steps to address it, through active listening, the pursuit of truth, justice, forgiveness, reparation, and a firm commitment to a culture of prevention and protection against these crimes," the pontiff said. The meeting took place behind closed doors, and the speech was subsequently published. Leo XIV thanked the bishops for the work carried out so far and acknowledged that they have gone through "very difficult moments." "It is essential to continue along the path you have undertaken, maintaining the utmost vigilance," the pope said, who in the afternoon will meet in Lourdes with a group of seven victims. Pope Leo XIV asks French bishops to maintain "the utmost vigilance" against child abuse A call to acknowledge failings Leo XIV also stated that the clergy "needs support and encouragement" and asked the bishops to "always have the courage to acknowledge failings out of love for the Truth and the determination to heal wounds," while calling on them "not to be discouraged by mistakes, inconsistencies, or even falls." "Facing the immense challenges of our time, I urge you, dear brothers, to show missionary courage, boldness, and creativity," he added. According to a 2021 investigation, approximately 330,000 cases of abuse committed by members of the clergy were identified in France between 1950 and 2020, while slightly fewer than 2,000 victims have received compensation for these crimes. Pope Leo XIV asks French bishops to maintain "the utmost vigilance" against child abuse STEFANO RELLANDINI The Church's role in France In another passage of his address, the pope affirmed that the Church "has witnessed, and even contributed to, the slow construction of your nation; it remains a fundamental part of your culture, your identity, and your vocation to the world." He added that "the voice of the Church has the place that belongs to it in public debate in France; by its very nature, it possesses a prophetic authority." "Although it is not always heard, it is awaited. Although it is not followed, especially on essential matters concerning the foundations of civilization, it is necessary," he said. In the face of secularism, Leo XIV called on the bishops not to be discouraged and "to remain vigilant in defending the freedom and rights of the Church to evangelize, to educate in true freedom, and to practice public worship, so that charity may be visibly exercised in the name of Jesus Christ."