{"id":507106,"date":"2026-01-10T22:17:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T22:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/507106\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T22:17:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T22:17:13","slug":"pope-leo-failure-to-welcome-abuse-victims-is-a-scandal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/507106\/","title":{"rendered":"Pope Leo: Failure to welcome abuse victims is a scandal"},"content":{"rendered":"

The full text of Pope Leo XIV\u2019s speech at the conclusion of the January 7\u20138 consistory, published today, announces a new meeting of the cardinals in June and insists that victims and survivors of abuse \u201cneed to be accompanied with the closeness of authentic pastors.\u201d<\/p>\n

By Salvatore Cernuzio<\/b><\/p>\n

Although it was not a specific topic of the Extraordinary Consistory held on January 7\u20138, Pope Leo XIV took the opportunity to speak to the roughly 170 cardinals\u2014both electors and non-electors\u2014about a problem that \u201cremains a real wound in the life of the Church in many places\u201d: the sexual abuse crisis.<\/p>\n

This is a topic Pope Leo, like his predecessors, has repeatedly highlighted in recent months. Even in the Consistory\u2014focused on the themes of synodality and mission, chosen by majority vote of the cardinals\u2014he did not fail to mention this issue.<\/p>\n

He addressed it in his concluding speech after the two day meeting, the full text of which was published on January 10.<\/p>\n

The scandal of closed doors<\/b> <\/p>\n

In his address, the Pope stressed that \u201cabuse itself causes a deep wound, which may last a lifetime; but often the scandal in the Church is that the door was closed and victims were not welcomed or accompanied with the closeness of authentic pastors.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Holy Father shared the testimony of a victim he had spoken with recently: \u201cShe told me that the most painful part for her was that no bishop wanted to listen\u201d. There, Pope Leo said, \u201clistening is profoundly important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Next steps<\/b> <\/p>\n

Listening is also a necessary practice between the Pope and the College of Cardinals. For this reason, the Holy Father asked the cardinals to continue the work begun at the Consistory, to deepen mutual understanding, strengthen dialogue, and implement synodality.<\/p>\n

Pope Leo announced plans to \u201ccontinue the meetings\u201d in the future, possibly extending them to three or four days once a year. As some groups suggested, the meetings could consist of a day of reflection, prayer, and encounter, followed by two or three days of work.<\/p>\n

For this year, he scheduled a second Consistory at the end of June, near the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Pope<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n At the end of the second day of the Extraordinary Consistory, Pope Leo XIV expressed his desire to continue along this path, \u201cin continuity\u201d with what was requested in the …\n <\/p>\n

\u201cI would suggest that, for this year, we meet a second time for two days,\u201d the Pope said, also encouraging cardinals who \u201cface financial difficulties\u201d to seek assistance. \u201cSpeak up. I think we, too, can show solidarity with one another, and there will be ways, with generous people who will help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Submitting proposals and feedback in writing<\/b> <\/p>\n

The work is not over, the Pope highlighted, as \u201cthe dialogue is meant to continue.\u201d He asked the cardinals to \u201csubmit in writing\u201d their reflections on the four proposed themes\u2014synodality, mission, liturgy, and the constitution Praedicate Evangelium.<\/p>\n

\"Pope<\/p>\n

\n Pope Leo during the Extraordinary Consistory \u00a0 (@Vatican Media)\n <\/p>\n

They were also meant to share their overall assessment of the Consistory and the \u201crelationship of the cardinals with the Holy Father and the Roman Curia.\u201d<\/p>\n

He promised to \u201ctake time to read reports and personal messages carefully, and later give you feedback, a response, and continue the dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gratitude for participants and solidarity with absentees<\/b> <\/p>\n

In his final address, the Pope reflected positively on this initial experience of collegiality, which he said \u201cis intimately connected to what we experienced at the Conclave,\u201d during which many cardinals had expressed \u201cthe desire to get to know each other and to contribute and support.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Consistory was thus \u201ca privileged moment to express the mission of the Church together, in communion.\u201d Pope Leo expressed his \u201cdeep gratitude\u201d for the presence and participation of the cardinals, all directed toward supporting him in his service as Successor of Peter. He especially thanked the senior cardinals who made the effort to attend as \u201ctheir testimony is truly precious.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Pope<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Pope Leo XIV concluded the first session of the meeting with the cardinals yesterday with an off-the-cuff address, following work in linguistic groups in the Paul VI Hall. He …\n <\/p>\n

At the same time, he expressed solidarity with those unable to attend for various reasons: \u201cWe are with you and feel you close!\u201d He added, \u201cPersonally, I felt profound communion and harmony with all of you and among the many interventions.\u201d<\/p>\n

The importance of formation<\/b> <\/p>\n

Reflecting on points raised during the work, particularly by the 20 language-based groups, the Pope highlighted the importance of formation. \u201cFormation for everyone\u201d\u2014in seminaries, for priests, bishops, and lay collaborators\u2014\u201cmust be rooted in the ordinary, concrete life of the local Church, the parishes, and other significant places where people meet, especially those who suffer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

\n The language groups during the Consistory \u00a0 (@VATICAN MEDIA)\n <\/p>\n

Because such topics cannot be fully addressed in a short time, this ordinary work must become \u201can opportunity for formation and growth for those with whom we work, at all levels, from the parish to the Roman Curia.\u201d Examples include pastoral visits and the revitalization of participatory bodies.<\/p>\n

Synodality and mission, rooted in the Council<\/b> <\/p>\n

Regarding the two themes chosen by the cardinals\u2014synodality and mission\u2014the Pope reiterated that they \u201care deeply rooted in Vatican II and the entire path that has flowed from the Council.\u201d<\/p>\n

He emphasized that \u201cthis path is a process of life, conversion, and renewal for the entire Church.\u201d The other two themes were not \u201cnecessarily central\u201d during the two days but \u201care closely connected to the other themes and to the Council,\u201d he said, \u201cso they have not been nor will be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n

The service of the Curia<\/b> <\/p>\n

Pope Leo also mentioned the work of the Dicasteries in the spirit of Praedicate Evangelium, serving the Pope and the particular Churches. The Apostolic Constitution, published in October 2022, highlights the need to \u201cbetter harmonize\u201d the service of the Curia with the path of evangelization.<\/p>\n

The Holy Father reiterated his commitment to providing the cardinals and the whole Church \u201ca structure of relationships and service, capable of supporting you and local Churches to address the current challenges of the mission more effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Consistory:<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n At the end of the first day of the Extraordinary Consistory, the Director of the Holy See Press Office tells reporters that the roughly 170 Cardinals participating voted to reflect …\n <\/p>\n

\u201cThis,\u201d he continued, \u201cis connected to the ongoing implementation of the Synod, which will have a key milestone in the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly.\u201d He encouraged the cardinals to be \u201cferment for this path\u201d in service of the Church\u2019s mission and the proclamation of the Gospel.<\/p>\n

Support for those suffering from war and violence<\/b> <\/p>\n

Concluding his speech, the Pope stressed the importance of sending hope to today\u2019s world: \u201cWe are not gathered here deaf to the reality of poverty, suffering, war, and violence that afflict so many local Churches. And here, with them in our hearts, we also want to say that we are close to them. Many of you come from countries experiencing this suffering from violence and war.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Pope<\/p>\n

\n Pope speaking to the Cardinals during the Consistory \u00a0 (@Vatican Media)\n <\/p>\n

This path of hope must also engage the young, he said. The hope experienced in the recently concluded Jubilee reminds us: \u201cWe have closed the Holy Door, but let us remember: the door of Christ and His love is always open!\u201d<\/p>\n

The full text of the Pope’s concluding speech can be found here<\/a> in Italian<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The full text of Pope Leo XIV\u2019s speech at the conclusion of the January 7\u20138 consistory, published today,…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":507107,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[567,5049,211267,50,3417,227061,227060,103],"class_list":{"0":"post-507106","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world","8":"tag-abuse","9":"tag-cardinals","10":"tag-consistory","11":"tag-news","12":"tag-pope-leo-xiv","13":"tag-praedicate-evangelium","14":"tag-synodality","15":"tag-world"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115873123141136797","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/507106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=507106"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/507106\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/507107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=507106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=507106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=507106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}