Pope Francis Meets Victims of Sexual Abuse and Criticizes Catholic Hierarchy in Portugal, Euronews reports.
During his visit to Lisbon, Pope Francis addressed the scandal of sexual abuse by clergy on the first day of his trip. He acknowledged that many priests and nuns in countries with once-thriving parishes are feeling exhausted from their vocation.
"This weariness is often compounded by disappointment and anger towards the Church, sometimes due to our poor witness and scandals that tarnish its image, calling us to humble and continuous purification, starting with the painful cries of victims, who must always be welcomed and heard."
After his speech, Pope Francis spent over an hour privately meeting with 13 victims of abuse. In February, a group of experts hired by Portugal's bishops reported that around 5,000 boys and girls had been victims of sexual abuse within the Church since 1950. Initially, bishops refused to remove the named perpetrators from ministry or provide compensation to the victims.
As previously reported by Daryo, this week, Portugal is hosting the World Youth Day, the fourth for Pope Francis.
The event, which could become the largest in Portugal, promises an economic boost for the country. Everyone is trying to benefit, from hotels and restaurants to souvenir shops and even bakeries.
Such events are part of the Vatican's efforts to attract young Catholics at a time when secularism and scandals related to sexual abuse of children by clergy have led some believers to leave the church.
The Catholic festival was established by John Paul II in the 1980s to attract youth to the Church. On August 6, Pope Francis will celebrate the concluding Mass.
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