(TheIndependentStar.com) – In a remarkable move, Pope Francis has issued a resounding call for transparency, declaring that “evil must not be hidden,” as he urged Catholic bishops to confront child sex abuse head-on.
During his visit to Belgium, he declared that “evil must not be hidden” and demanded justice for victims.
Pope Francis praised the courage of abuse victims and condemned offenders during a recent visit to Belgium.
In a mass at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, he emphasized the importance of confronting this issue with transparency.
Nearly 40,000 faithful attended the event.
The Pope’s call for transparency comes amid ongoing criticism of how the Catholic Church has handled abuse cases.
He specifically targeted bishops who have abused children, insisting they must face justice.
Pope Francis’ visit also included a meeting with Belgium’s King and Prime Minister.
PM Alexander De Croo stressed the need for concrete actions beyond words.
In his remarks, the Pope made it clear that there would be no sanctuary for abusers within the Church.
“I heard their suffering as abuse victims and I repeat here: In the Church, there is room for everyone, everyone, everyone, but we will all be judged and there is no place for abuse, no place for covering up abuse. I ask everyone: Do not cover up abuses,” he said Sunday.
“I ask the bishops: Do not cover up abuses. Condemn the abusers and help them to heal from this disease of abuse,” the pope added, cited by Politico EU.
Belgium has seen over 700 cases of clerical child abuse reported since 2012.
The Pope’s words, including his decision to defrock Bruges Bishop Roger Vangheluwe, who admitted to years of abuse, underscore his commitment to addressing these egregious crimes.
Pope Francis met with 17 abuse victims and acknowledged their suffering, reiterating that abuse must not be tolerated.
He urged bishops to not cover up abuses and to bring abusers to justice.
Words alone are not enough, concrete steps must also be taken,” PM Alexander De Croo said during his meeting with Francis and Belgium’s King Philippe at Laeken Castle in Brussels.
This call for action is a welcome step, but skepticism remains given the Church’s history of handling abuse cases, the report notes.
Francis has faced criticism for his own alleged mishandling of abuse cases, including accusations of protecting Slovenian priest Marko Rupnik.
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