Pope meets quietly with abuse victims in London

September 20, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI met on September 18 with a group of British victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests.

The Pope “was moved by what they had to say, and expressed his deep sorrow and shame,” the Vatican press office said in a release made public after the meeting. The Holy Father prayed with the victims for healing and reconciliation.

Following the pattern that he has set in previous trips abroad, the Pope did not announce the meeting in advance. The meeting took place on Saturday afternoon at the office of the apostolic nuncio in London.

Later in the same day the Pontiff met with Church officials working in programs designed to protect children, and thanked them for their efforts. He said that it was “deplorable” that children had been victimized within the Church, especially in light of the long record of Christian concern for the welfare of children. Nevertheless, he said, the efforts undertaken in recent years to restore security for children should be acknowledged.

 

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Further information:

• Holy Father Moved by Sex Abuse Victims' Accounts (VIS)
• Meeting with People Responsible for Child Protection (VIS)