Pope calls for making Church ‘safe place’ for minors, vulnerable adults

Vatican City, Mar 7 (EFE).- Pope Francis on Thursday urged the Church to do more to make it an increasingly safe place for minors and vulnerable adults, the Holy See Press Office said in a statement.

“In confronting the scandal of abuse and the suffering of victims (…) the challenge of restoring the fabric of broken lives and of healing pain is enormous and complex,” the Pope said in a meeting with members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. The pontiff urged commission members to continue strengthening the Church’s efforts to prevent abuse and make the Church a safe place for all, especially minors and vulnerable adults. “I encourage you to move forward, so that the Church will be, always and everywhere, a place where everyone can feel at home and each person is treated as sacred,” he said. Francis called on the commission members and all Church authorities to acknowledge the suffering caused by abuse and listen “directly to the voices of victims.” “These brothers and sisters of ours must be welcomed and listened to, since neglecting to do so can greatly aggravate their suffering,” he said.

He stressed that the Church’s policy of closeness to victims of abuse is not an abstract concept but a concrete reality involving listening, intervening, preventing, and assisting. “We cannot help others to bear their burdens unless we shoulder them ourselves, unless we show genuine closeness and compassion,” he added. Pope Francis expressed support for initiatives aimed to assist local churches worldwide in training and strengthening prevention and safeguarding capacities for children and vulnerable adults. “This will create a network of solidarity with victims and those who promote their rights, especially where resources and experience are limited.” EFE mas/bks/ks