🔗 Share this article

Individuals who experienced abuse by Catholic clergy have expressed fresh optimism following their initial meeting with the new Pope at the Vatican.

Gemma Hickey, who leads the anti-abuse organization, commented that the pontiff's decision to meet with them so early in his leadership spoke volumes about his dedication to tackling the issue.

Global Strict Policy Advocated

The organization is advocating for a worldwide strict approach that would permanently remove any priest who admits to or is found guilty of abusing a child. This policy has already been adopted in the United States.

The Pontiff recognized that there is "opposition in some parts of the world" to this proposal, according to Hickey.

"Everyone was practical when we recognized that there is resistance," Hickey remarked.

Inherited Issue

The new Pope, who assumed the position in spring, has taken on this persistent issue that has haunted the Catholic Church for many years.

Earlier attempts to address the problem included an unprecedented summit on paedophilia within the institution and changes to canon law to explicitly criminalize sexual abuse.

Deeply Felt Link

For the representative, who prefers they/them pronouns, the campaign for worldwide adoption of the policy is personal. The Canadian advocate revealed they were abused by a priest who was subsequently transferred between different parishes.

"We trust this will set the tone for his leadership, because we want to collaborate with him," Hickey expressed. "Both sides share the same goal, we seek to eliminate abuse by religious officials."

Historic Meeting

Seven representatives of the organization, which includes victims and advocates from more than 30 nations, engaged with the Pope in his Vatican office.

The discussion, originally scheduled for a brief period, lasted to a full hour, during which the religious leader "mostly listened to us," according to Hickey.

The Pope was characterized as "very understanding" when hearing the account of a woman victimized at a Catholic residential school for native youth in North America.

They noted the leader was "tender" about their own experience and seemed "very humble, funny, and very down to earth."

"Victims have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't feel like he was giving us lip service," they stated. "I believed like he was sincere, practical, and receptive and eager to work with us."

Church Regulations Changes

The organization is advocating that revisions to canon law will enable the adoption of the zero-tolerance policy globally.

They have consulted experts and compiled documents that they will submit to the pontiff.

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

Accountability Highlighted

A recently released church-ordered report emphasized the "necessity of a efficient process for the resignation and/or removal of Church leaders or staff in cases of abuse or failure to act."

The report also noted that survivors consistently emphasized the "critical requirement for church leaders and senior officials to be made responsible for negligence and cover-up."

Moving Forward

The representative revealed they told the pontiff at the start of their meeting: "This is as much a challenge for him to engage in a conversation as it was for us."

After the meeting, they voiced optimism for future change.

"We realise it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the end of the day, coming together and establishing a relationship and persisting to build that relationship is a move in the correct path," they commented.

Hickey concluded that they shared with Pope Leo: "Even though it's a difficult period, I believe like we can alter how the story concludes - he appreciated that."