🔗 Share this article

People who endured sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have expressed renewed hope after their first meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican.

Gemma Hickey, who leads the anti-abuse organization, commented that the pontiff's decision to engage with them so early in his leadership spoke volumes about his commitment to addressing the issue.

Global Strict Approach Pushed

The group is advocating for a worldwide zero-tolerance policy that would defrock any clergy member who admits to or is proven of abusing a child. This approach has already been adopted in the United States.

The Pontiff acknowledged that there is "opposition in some parts of the world" to this proposal, according to Hickey.

"Everyone was practical when we recognized that there is resistance," Hickey stated.

Inherited Issue

The new Pope, who took the role in May, has inherited this longstanding problem that has plagued the Church for many years.

Previous efforts to address the problem included an historic summit on child abuse within the Church and changes to canon law to clearly outlaw sexual abuse.

Deeply Felt Link

For Hickey, who uses they/them pronouns, the campaign for global implementation of the measure is deeply meaningful. The North American advocate shared they were victimized by a priest who was subsequently moved between different parishes.

"We trust this will set the tone for his papacy, because we want to work with him," they stated. "We have the common objective, we seek to end abuse by religious officials."

Historic Meeting

Seven members of the organization, which includes victims and supporters from more than 30 countries, met with the Pontiff in his official residence.

The discussion, originally scheduled for 20 minutes, extended to a full hour, during which the Pope "mostly listened to us," according to Hickey.

The pontiff was described as "quite empathetic" when listening to the story of a female survivor abused at a Catholic residential school for Indigenous children in Canada.

Hickey noted the leader was "compassionate" about their personal experience and seemed "modest, humorous, and very down to earth."

"Victims have consistently sought a seat at the table and I didn't perceive like he was giving us lip service," they commented. "I believed like he was sincere, realistic, and receptive and keen to collaborate with us."

Church Regulations Reforms

The group is advocating that revisions to church regulations will facilitate the implementation of the strict approach globally.

They have spoken with experts and gathered documents that they will present to Pope Leo.

"He appeared engaged in reviewing it," they noted.

Accountability Highlighted

A recent church-ordered report emphasized the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the stepping down and/or removal of religious officials or staff in cases of misconduct or failure to act."

The report also pointed out that survivors consistently emphasized the "critical requirement for church leaders and senior officials to be held accountable for negligence and cover-up."

Path Ahead

Hickey shared they informed the pontiff at the start of their discussion: "This represents as much a risk for him to participate in a conversation as it was for us."

Following the encounter, Hickey voiced hope for future change.

"We understand it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the conclusion, uniting and establishing a relationship and continuing to strengthen that relationship is a step in the right direction," Hickey stated.

Hickey concluded that they told with the pontiff: "Just because it's a difficult period, I feel like we can change how the story concludes - he valued that."