The Pope addressed the French bishops, praising the actions recently taken to confront the serious problem of sexual abuse committed by members of the clergy or within the Church. He acknowledged that the bishops have faced a painful scourge and have taken important measures, such as actively listening, seeking the truth, promoting justice, forgiveness, reparation, and establishing a culture of prevention and protection against such crimes.
During a private meeting, whose speech was later released by the EFE agency, the pontiff expressed gratitude for the work done so far, admitting that the bishops have gone through extremely difficult periods. The Pope emphasized the continuous need to maintain maximum vigilance on the path initiated by religious leaders.
Additionally, he stressed that the clergy needs support and encouragement. In France, data from a 2021 investigation pointed to about 330,000 cases of abuse perpetrated by clergy members between 1950 and 2020, with fewer than 2,000 victims receiving compensation for these acts.
The Pope also urged the bishops to have the courage to admit failures for the sake of the truth and to persist in healing the wounds, warning them not to become discouraged by errors, inconsistencies, or setbacks. Addressing the prelates, he exhorted them to show courage, boldness, and missionary creativity in the face of the great challenges of the time.
In another part of the speech, it was mentioned that the Church has been a witness and contributed to the gradual formation of the French nation, remaining an essential element of Gallic culture. According to Leo XIV, the voice of the Church holds a legitimate place in the French public debate, possessing a prophetic authority inherent to its nature.
He noted that although it is not always heard, the voice of the Church is expected and necessary, especially on crucial matters related to the pillars of civilization, even if it is not always followed. Faced with secularism, the Pope advised the bishops not to lose heart, encouraging them to remain vigilant in defending the freedom and rights of the Church, aiming to evangelize, educate in true freedom, and perform public worship, so that charity may be visible in the name of Jesus Christ.
