Abuse victim describes papal meeting as ‘life-changing experience’

July 16, 2014

One of the victims of clerical sexual abuse who met recently with Pope Francis has told the Boston Globe that the encounter was a “life-changing experience.”

“He’s granted me something that the prime minister, and the deputy prime minister and all these other ministers of state in the UK never have,” said Richard Saunders. “I had the benefit of a discussion with him, with no limits, no intermediaries, just him and I.”

“The man I met today, I don’t think is a man who would let us down,” he continued. “I can honestly say I sat and looked into the eyes of a real man, who happens to be the pope. And I found an honest, sincere guy, full of love, and that’s good enough for me, because none of us is perfect.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Abuse victim calls meeting Pope Francis a ‘life changing experience’ (Boston Globe)
• Meeting abuse victims, Pope pledges accountability (CWN, 7/7)