Pope Francis reaffirmed the importance of responding decisively to the problem of the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy and called on the Vatican office dealing with suspected cases to continue carrying out its mandate. During a meeting on April 5 with Archbishop Gerhard L. Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the pope made a particular point of highlighting the congregation’s work to counter clerical sexual abuse, telling Archbishop Muller he wanted it “to act decisively concerning cases of sexual abuse.” The pope asked the congregation to continue: “promoting measures that protect minors, above all; help for those who have suffered such violence in the past; necessary procedures against those found guilty; [and] the commitment of bishops’ conferences in formulating and implementing the necessary directives in this area that is so important for the church’s witness and credibility.”
Pope Reaffirms Policy on Sexual Abuse
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