Vatican City, May 2, 2018 / 11:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After meeting with Pope Francis over the weekend, Chilean survivors of clerical sexual abuse said the pontiff was open, sympathetic and deeply impacted by the situation, at one point voicing sorrow for having been “part of the problem.”
Juan Carlos Cruz, a victim of Chilean abuser Fr. Fernando Karadima who met with Pope Francis privately Saturday, said he spoke to the pontiff for at least three hours, and found him “sincere, attentive and deeply apologetic for the situation.”
“For me, the pope was contrite, he was truly sorry,” Cruz said. “I felt also that he was hurting, which for me was very solemn…because it’s not often that the pope says sorry to you…he said, ‘I was part of the problem, I caused this and I am apologize.’”
Cruz was joined by fellow abuse survivors James Hamilton and Jose Andres Murillo, each of whom suffered abuse at the hands Chilean priest Fernando Karadima, who in 2011 was found guilty by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of sexually abusing several minors during the 1980s and 1990s, and subsequently sentenced to a life of prayer and solitude.
Chilean civil authorities investigated Karadima but ultimately dropped charges since his crimes were beyond the statute of limitations.
Hamilton, Cruz and Murillo were invited to come to the Vatican after the pope received a 2,300-page report from Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna, highly regarded as the Vatican’s top abuse investigator, who had traveled to the United States and Chile in February to investigate allegations of cover-up in the Chile case.
Initially the investigation centered on Bishop Juan Barros of Osorno, who was appointed to the diocese in 2015 and who has been accused by Cruz and several others of not only covering up Karadima’s abuses, but at times also participating.
Allegations were also made against three other bishops – Andrés Arteaga, Tomislav Koljatic and Horacio Valenzuela – whom Karadima’s victims accuse of also covering the abuser’s crimes.
While on the ground, Scicluna interviewed some 64 people, most of whom were victims, but the scale of the investigation went beyond Barros. The final report is said to be much more extensive, including details from other cases.
Pope Francis had previous defended Bishop Barros, saying he had received no evidence of the bishop’s guilt, and called accusations against him “calumny” during a trip to Chile in January. However, just days after he made the comments, news broke that Cruz in 2015 had sent the pope an 8-page letter through the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors with his testimony detailing Barros’ presence and involvement in the abuse.
After receiving Archbishop Scicluna’s report, Francis issued a major “mea culpa” April 11, saying he had made “serious errors in the judgment and perception of the situation, especially due to a lack of truthful and balanced information.”
He invited Cruz, Hamilton and Murillo to meet with him privately at the Vatican, and summoned all of Chile’s 32 bishops to Rome in the third week of May, where they will discuss the conclusions of Scicluna’s report as well the pope’s own conclusions on the matter.
Each of the three men met with Pope Francis individually with no time limit over the weekend, and then again as a group on Monday.
In a joint statement issued May 2, the survivors said they have been treated as “enemies” of the Church for nearly 10 years for their outspoken criticism of abuse and cover-up in the Church, but that this weekend’s meetings allowed them to meet “the friendly face of the Church, completely different form the one we had seen before.”
Pope Francis, they said, asked for forgiveness in his name and on behalf of the entire universal Church.
“We were able to speak frankly and respectfully with the pope,” they said, explaining that major themes brought up included not only sexual abuse, but also cover-up and abuse of power, which they said are not isolated to Chile, but are “an epidemic” that has affected thousands of people throughout the global Church.
Despite their abuse, the survivors said they have met many priests and men and women religious who are fighting for justice, and called them “courageous” people who have made progress in the fight against abuse and cover-up.
Pope Francis, they said, was “very attentive, receptive and very empathetic during the intense and long hours of conversation.”
During the audiences, the pope also asked the men for their opinion on both “specific and theoretical” aspects of the issue, and asked to stay in touch with them to hear their thoughts and recommendations for the future.
The victims also called for action, saying that the Church “has the duty to become an ally and a guide in the global fight against abuse, and a refuge for the victims,” something that they said is not sufficiently happening today.
“We hope that Pope Francis transforms his loving words of forgiveness into exemplary actions. Otherwise, all this will be in vain.”
In comments to the press during a May 2 news briefing on their meetings, the survivors unanimously said they believed the pope had been grossly misinformed about the situation by those around him, and was truly repentant for the mistakes he made.
Cruz said he didn’t ask about whether Francis had read his letter from 2015, but said he was able to communicate everything he had wanted during their face-to-face meeting.
“We spoke very frankly and very directly,” he said, adding that “it was clear that the pope was misinformed.”
Cruz said he told the pope that “it hurt tremendously” when he said their accusations against Barros were “calumny,” and told him to watch out for “these toxic people that surround him.”
In his comments to the press, Hamilton pinned a large part of the blame on Archbishop Ivo Scapolo, nuncio to Chile since 2011, and Chilean Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz, Archbishop Emeritus of Santiago and a member of Pope Francis’ council of cardinal advisors.
Hamilton said that Errazuriz failed to act upon the abuse reports he raised, despite being told by the Chilean Promoter of Justice that they were credible and should be followed up with canonical prosecution.
“So Cardinal Errazuriz was covering up for more than 5 years the criminal of Karadima and all of his acts,” Hamilton said.
After their conversations, Hamilton said he believes Francis is now well informed on the situation, which is why he asked for the visit. “Everybody deserves a second chance, especially in this case,” he said.
However, all three men stressed the importance of following up with action after the meetings.
Murillo told journalists that he does not see the trip as “a triumph,” but rather as “a step further in a process.”
“Even if we saw the forgiveness that Pope Francis asked of us,” he said, “we are waiting for actions. We are not here for public relations, we are here for actions.”
He described the trip as long and tiring, “because I constantly work with children who were victims of abuse [and] during this trip I thought of them, but not only – I thought of all minors and adolescents who suffer abuse…also from professors, at home, in athletic training…I continue to think of all of them and I have to say, I am truly tired.”
Murillo said he hopes to that legal action will be taken against the bishops guilty of cover-up in the Chile case.
“I hope the governments of the rest of the world begin to think first of the victims…so that these events don’t repeat themselves.”
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About appealing to “fraternity beyond the Christian world” and “an authentic understanding of God as Father,” this relationship and concept and word (!) does not show up in the “uncreated” Qur’an which dismisses the Triune One and the Incarnation as polytheism. How to dialogue with those who live in an alternative universe?
Peter, perhaps the Pope could follow in the footsteps of St.Francis of when he engaged in dialogue with Muslim leaders in Egypt in 1219. Francis approached them as fellow humans and respected their fidelity to their beliefs. His humility and willingness to engage in friendly dialogue so impressed them that they entertains him and granted him safe passage back to the Crusaders who were engaged in combat against them. Francis respected their piety, however misplaced, and used it as an example for his brothers. There is an old saying that says: there is not a human alive that we can’t learn from; and I think this is very true. The Pope has a unique opportunity to live Christ before and with leaders of other religions, and I think it is right for him to do so. You can dialogue with out compromising your own beliefs, and you can respect the integrity of those you disagree with.
Of course, I agree one on one, nevertheless Islam—as a religion—is the negation of Christianity. Arianism on steroids.
James Connor: Sentimentality is comforting, but When has “dialogue” ever occurred across billions of people?
Good points, Mr. Connor. Thank you.
You pose the existential question that has yet to be answered. State-sponsored radical Islam is the greatest threat to world peace.
“You pose the existential question that has yet to be answered. State-sponsored radical Islam is the greatest threat to world peace.”
Perhaps, but the greatest threat to our Salvation, is The Sin Against The Holy Ghost , due to a hardened heart at the moment of our death, that in denying The Unity Of The Holy Ghost, Who Is The Spirit Of Perfect Divine Eternal Love Between The Father And His Only Begotten Son, Jesus The Christ, denies The Divinity Of The Most Holy Blessed Trinity, while denying The Source Of God’s Gift Of Grace And Mercy , Salvational Love.
“Do not let your Hearts be hardened!”
“Penance, Penance, Penance” At the heart of Liberty Is Christ, “4For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5Have moreover tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come…”, to not believe that Christ’s Sacrifice On The Cross will lead us to Salvation, but we must desire forgiveness for our sins, and accept Salvational Love, God’s Gift Of Grace And Mercy; believe in The Power And The Glory Of Salvation Love, and rejoice in the fact that No Greater Love Is There Than This, To Desire Salvation For One’s Beloved.
“Hail The Cross, Our Only Hope.”
“Blessed are they who are Called to The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb.”
“For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
“Behold your Mother.” – Christ On The Cross
Dear Blessed Mother Mary, Mirror of Justice And Destroyer Of All Heresy, Who Through Your Fiat, Affirmed The Filioque, and thus the fact that There Is Only One Son Of God, One Word Of God Made Flesh, One Lamb Of God Who Can Taketh Away The Sins Of The World, Our Only Savior, Jesus The Christ, thus there can only be, One Spirit Of Perfect Divine Eternal Complementary Love Between The Father And His Only Begotten Son, Jesus The Christ, Who Must Proceed From Both The Father And His Only Begotten Son, Jesus The Christ, In The Ordered Communion Of Perfect Divine Eternal Complementary Love, The Most Holy And Undivided Blessed Trinity (Filioque), hear our Prayer that your Immaculate Heart Will Triumph soon for the sake of Christ, His Church, all who will come to believe, and all our beloved prodigal sons and daughters, who, hopefully, will return to The One Body Of Christ, which exists From The Father, Through, With, And In His Only Son, Jesus The Christ, In The Unity Of The Holy Ghost (Filioque) Amen.
Our Lady Of Fatima, Blessed Mother Mary , Full Of Grace , Please Intercede For Us🙏✝️💕🌹
The Jews don’t believe in the Trinity either.
This is true. Muslims, Christians,and Jews worship the God of Abraham but we each have different understandings of Him.
Because of their monotheistic religion, Muslims and Jews have a lot more in common with each other than with Catholics.
Not “because they are ‘monotheistic'” but, instead, this:
“The responses of the Old Testament and a fortiori of Islam (which remains essentially in the enclosure of the religion of Israel) are incapable of giving a satisfactory answer to the question of why Yahweh, why Allah, created a world of which he did not have need in order to be God. Only the fact is affirmed in the two religions, not the why. The Christian response is contained in these two fundamental dogmas: that of the Trinity and that of the Incarnation” (Hans Urs von Balthasar).
We believe in one God , too. Three persons in One God
We’re all monotheists. Different understandings about Him though.
Of course, but except for a few radicals they and we do accept and respect each other. We have each had a type of renewal. Islam has yet to have a renewal. Studying history and monitoring how certain Islamic countries continue to govern ought to help us be realistic. Reading the Koran might help also! Our Pope is correct and possibly prophetic.
It is important to note that Division is not of The Holy Ghost, thus it is what divides other religious denominations from Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, And Apostolic Church, In The Unity Of The Holy Ghost, The Spirit Of Perfect Divine Eternal Love Between The Father And His Only Begotten Son, Jesus The Christ, Who Must Proceed From Both The Father And His Only Begotten Son, Jesus The Christ, In The Ordered Communion Of Perfect Divine Eternal Love, The Most Holy Blessed Trinity, that keeps various religious denominations from being in communion with The One Body Of Christ, In The Unity Of The Ghost, Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic And Apostolic Church.
The Fact That The Holy Spirit Must Proceed From Both The Father And His Only Begotten Son, Jesus The Christ, dues not imply The Holy Ghost “is in a subordinate position to The Father And The Son”.
Perfect Divine Eternal Love Does Not Divide, It Multiplies, as in The Miracle Of The Loaves And Fishes.
The Filioque is a Dogma Of The Catholic Faith that affirms The Divinity Of The Holy Ghost.
“Quoting the creed, he underlined the proclamation of Christ as “consubstantial with the Father,” describing it as “a profound bond already uniting all Christians.” Citing St. Augustine, he added: “Although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.”
Quoting The Creed while acknowledging The Holy Ghost, The Spirit Of Perfect Complementary Divine Eternal Love Between The Father And His Only Begotten Son, Jesus The Christ Proceeds From Both The Father And His Only Begotten Son, Jesus The Christ, underlines the proclamation of Christ as “consubstantial with the Father,”
Yes, the filioque has divided us for centuries. It is not such a small thing, although to outsiders it seems so. (Ask your Protestant friends and they won’t even be aware of the difference, or at least mine aren’t.) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
As events, whether by chance or the fates would have it, Byzantine emperor Patriarch Constantine XI Palaiologos was in consultation for unity with Rome when Ottoman sultan Mehmed II moved his siege artillery in range of Constantinople. Constantine considered making the momentous decision to unite when Mehmed’s artillery crumbled the great city’s walls. All was lost.
The Vatican had prepared to send a fleet though time had run out. When Genoese captain Giovanni Giustiniani Longo had arrived earlier with a brigade of Genoese and Greek mercenaries, the emperor placed him in command of the city’s defense. Outnumbered, outgunned they fought well, joined by Venetians who had several ships in harbor. The good was that Italians and Greeks fought and died together, despite the 1182 massacre of the Latins in that city, the 1204 sack by French and Venetian crusaders – to save the central city of Orthodoxy.
Ottoman Islam would spread into Europe on the verge of conquest when defeated at Lepanto under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin and similarly at the gates of Vienna. Might it again be the growing, ominous threat of Islam, the scourge of moral disorder due to indifference reasons for uniting in the name of Christ under Our Lady’s patronage?
About being “outnumbered and outgunned” at the FALL of COBSTANTINOPLE: Between one hundred and three hundred thousand Muslims moved against a much smaller remaining force of only seven thousand defenders. The historian JOHN JULIUS NORWICH captures this moment:
“By now, too, the omens had begun. On 22 May there was a lunar eclipse; a day or two later, as the holiest icon of the Virgin was being carried through the streets in one last appeal for her intercession, it slipped from its platform. A few hundred yards further on, a violent thunderstorm caused the whole procession to be abandoned. The next morning the city was shrouded in fog, unheard-of at the end of May; the same night the dome of Santa Sophia was suffused with an unearthly red glow that crept slowly up from the base to the summit and then went out. The past phenomenon was also seen by the Turks in Galata; Mehmet himself was greatly disturbed, and was reassured only after his astrologers had interpreted it as a sign that the building would soon be illuminated by the True Faith. For the Byzantines, the meaning was clear: the Spirit of God itself had deserted their city” (“A Short History of Bizantium,”1997).
And, about the SCOURGE of CHRISTIAN DISUNITY:
The Muslim siege in 1453 was aided by a 27-foot-long brass canon built by a German (!) engineer…
And, it’s possible Constantinople could even have held if it had not been sacked and permanently weakened over two centuries earlier in 1204 by the Fourth Crusade (!).
And later, about the divisive Reformation, the Augustinian monk Luther might not have been below the radar in 1517, had not the Emperor and the Pope both been distracted by Muslim advances from the east following disaster of 1453 (and preceding the successful Battle of Vienna in 1683).
That trip is another step towards building One Global Church.
The One, Catholic Church already exists. So…the one global church has been around a while.
Should we not desire union with the Orthodox churches?
“Should we not desire union with the Orthodox churches?”
We should desire that The Orthodox Churches that are not in communion with Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, And Apostolic Church, desire to return to The One Body Of Christ , which exists “Through Him, With Him, And IIn Him, Oh God Almighty Father, In The Unity Of The Holy Ghost”, affirming both The Filioque and The Papacy Of His One, Holy, Catholic, And Apostolic Church , That Christ Himself Has Founded For The Salvation Of Souls.
You mean one catholic and universal Church the way it used to be before the Great Schism?
Isn’t that what we should hope for?
John 17:22. “ that you may be one as we are one…” given as a witness to the world.
Although we missed a golden opportunity for unification with Greek Orthodox, Byzantine emperor Patriarch Constantine XI Palaiologos willing at the last, lost minute, last night viewed Leo XIV attend the very solemn, deeply reverential Mass offered by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew 1 of Constantinople eastern Orthodox Church. Deep. Beautifully solemn.
Captured was a profound insight into the granite like immobility of the Greek Orthodox, if not in the integrity of doctrine: the filioque clause, Christological deficiency, divorce; rather in their ownership as the primary recipients of Paul’s mission to convert the gentiles. It was from their tradition that we have the Septuagint, the Koine Greek Gospels, the majority of Church fathers, the theological masters of Alexandria Athanasius and Cyril. The locales of the early councils Nicaea the first. A fierce attitude, Let no other Christian Church claim dominance.
Last night Patriarch Bartholomew I revealed an entirely different posture with Leo XIV. Smiling, leading by hand, showing warm respect. Perhaps more than Athenagoras showed Paul VI. Pope Leo gave a talk, almost a Francis I replica musing on care for our environment, creation, without mentioning in any form the precious value of the creation of Man, his present day moral disfigurement, the slaughter of human life in the womb.
Nevertheless Leo addressed the required effort to settle differences amicably for sake of unity. It all seems hopeful. Although this observer is not convinced whether differences will be correctly resolved or simply disregarded. The result a fine friendship in place of real unity. Still there’s hope.
How many of the sixteen (or so) of the Orthodox Churches fully in communion with one another attended the events for the Nicea anniversary? Does anyone know? I have been looking for a list and have gathered that at least three Churches were not in attendance, the Patriarchates of Antioch, Jerusalem and (unsurprisingly) Russia. The answer could shed light n how much widespread interest in unification presently exists across the Orthodox world, outside of the Churches directly connected to the Ecumenical Patriarch. And that, in turn, could help clarify what the prospects are for achieving more unity in the near future.