Washington Post examines future Pope’s record on abuse cases
March 21, 2013
Although “nobody has presented evidence that [Cardinal Jorge Mario] Bergoglio was directly involved covering up sex abuse,” the future Pontiff “declined to meet” with clergy sex abuse victims and “did not offer personal apologies or financial restitution,” according to two Washington Post articles.
“One of Argentina’s best-known advocates for child-abuse victims, Sister Martha Pelloni … praised Bergoglio for evolving over the years and taking an increasingly firm stance against predatory clergy,” the newspaper reported. “Now if you go to a bishop with a claim, they’ll say, ‘Report to the police’,” she said. “Bergoglio must have ordered that.”
When clergy sex abuse occurs, “we must never turn a blind eye,” he said in 2012. “I do not believe in taking positions that uphold a certain corporative spirit in order to avoid damaging the image of the institution.”
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Further information:
- Clergy abuse victims call on Pope Francis to open files on Argentina’s pedophile priests (Washington Post)
- Pope Francis was often quiet on Argentine sex abuse cases as archbishop (Washington Post)
- When the future Pope spoke about sexual abuse... (The City Gates)
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