🔗 Share this article Victims of Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Voice Hope Following Encounter with Pope Leo Anti-Abuse Organization board members and victims pose in Vatican Square following the encounter with the Pontiff People who experienced sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have voiced renewed hope after their first meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican. The board president, heading Ending Clergy Abuse, commented that the pontiff's choice to engage with them so early in his leadership spoke volumes about his dedication to addressing the issue. Worldwide Zero-Tolerance Approach Advocated The group is advocating for a global strict approach that would permanently remove any priest who confesses to or is found guilty of sexually abusing a minor. This policy has already been adopted in the United States. The Pontiff acknowledged that there is "resistance in some parts of the world" to this proposal, according to Hickey. "We were all being realistic when we acknowledged that there is resistance," Hickey remarked. Legacy Challenge The current pontiff, who assumed the position in spring, has taken on this persistent problem that has plagued the Catholic Church for decades. Earlier attempts to address the problem included an unprecedented meeting on child abuse within the institution and changes to church laws to clearly outlaw abuse. Deeply Felt Link For Hickey, who uses they/them pronouns, the campaign for worldwide adoption of the policy is personal. The Canadian activist shared they were victimized by a clergy member who was subsequently moved between various churches. "We trust this will set the tone for his papacy, because we aim to work with him," Hickey stated. "Both sides share the common objective, we want to eliminate clergy abuse." Significant Meeting Seven representatives of the organization, which includes victims and advocates from more than 30 nations, met with the Pontiff in his official residence. The meeting, originally scheduled for 20 minutes, extended to a full hour, during which the religious leader "primarily heard to us," according to Hickey. The Pope was characterized as "quite empathetic" when listening to the account of a woman victimized at a Catholic residential school for Indigenous children in North America. They noted the leader was "tender" about their own experience and appeared "very humble, funny, and very down to earth." "Victims have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't feel like he was making empty promises," Hickey commented. "I believed like he was sincere, practical, and receptive and eager to collaborate with us." The Pontiff leads religious service in Vatican City on 19 October Canon Law Changes The organization is hoping that changes to church regulations will facilitate the adoption of the zero-tolerance policy globally. They have consulted experts and compiled materials that they will submit to Pope Leo. "He appeared engaged in reviewing it," Hickey noted. Accountability Highlighted A recently released Vatican-commissioned document emphasized the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the resignation and/or removal of religious officials or staff in cases of abuse or failure to act." The document also pointed out that victims repeatedly stressed the "critical requirement for bishops and senior officials to be held accountable for inaction and concealment." Moving Forward Hickey revealed they informed the Pope at the start of their discussion: "This represents as much a challenge for him to engage in a conversation as it was for us." After the encounter, they voiced optimism for future change. "We realise it's not something that's going to be resolved quickly, but at the end of the day, uniting and building a connection and persisting to strengthen that bond is a step in the correct path," Hickey commented. Hickey added that they told with Pope Leo: "Even though it's a difficult period, I believe like we can alter how the story ends - he appreciated that."