Thursday, February 5, 2015

Pope Tells Bishops to Guard Children from Abuse; "No Place in Ministry for Those Abusing Minors"

Pope Francis has ordered Catholic bishops around the world to co-operate as a matter of priority with a commission he set up to protect children from sexual abuse by clerics, even if it unearths new scandals, the Catholic News website reports today (February 5, 2015).

The Pope -- who met victims of abuse last year -- sent the letter to the bishops and heads of religious institutions a day before the commission was due to hold its first full meeting.

"Everything possible must be done to rid the Church of the scourge of the sexual abuse of minors and to open pathways of reconciliation and healing for those who were abused," the Pope says in the letter.

He adds: "Families need to know that the Church is making every effort to protect their children... priority must not be given to any other kind of concern, whatever its nature, such as the desire to avoid scandal, since there is absolutely no place in ministry for those who abuse minors."

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