On this week’s episode of “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle is joined by Laurence Gien, a survivor of clerical sexual abuse who spoke about his experience as part of a penitential celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Oct. 1, 2024.

Calling for healing for survivors and administrative urgency from the church to address their pain, Mr. Gien saw his testimony as an important symbolic act to promote transparency and accountability for people wounded by the Catholic Church—many of whom remain unnamed and unheard.

More from this episode:

Synod opens with unusual penitential service: 7 cardinals ask for forgiveness for church’s sins

Synod Diary: The synod’s call to conversion

“Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Synod coverage on other America podcasts:

Jesuitical Podcast: What is (and isn’t) the role of bishops in a synodal church?

Further synod coverage from America:

Synod Diary: Father James Martin’s halftime report from inside the synod hall

Synod Diary: Lessons from the Jesuit pilgrimage for the synod slog

A synod member’s case against synod cynicism

Synod Diary: Women deacons are not a ‘Western’ obsession

Synod Diary: Can the synod stay on topic?

Each week, Colleen Dulle goes behind the headlines of the biggest Vatican news stories with America’s Rome correspondent Gerard O’Connell. They'll break down complicated news stories that have a whole lot of history behind them in an understandable, engaging way. Colleen and Gerard will give you the inside scoop on what people inside the Vatican are thinking, saying—and planning.

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