(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – Despite his efforts for reforms, Pope Francis’s recent visit to Belgium exposed the Catholic Church’s ongoing struggle with child sex abuse scandals.
“Evil must not be hidden. Evil must be brought out into the open,” Francis said in unscripted remarks to thousands of people gathered for a mass at King Baudouin Stadium.
“Let it be known, as some abuse victims have done, and with courage. Let it be known. And let the abuser be judged. Let the abuser be judged, whether layperson, priest or bishop: Let the abuser be judged,” he added.
Although he has called for transparency, the Pope’s words ring hollow as the Church continues to shield pedophile priests and bishops from justice.
This latest PR stunt does little to address the deep-rooted corruption within the Vatican.
During his trip to Belgium, Pope Francis urged Catholic bishops to adopt a more honest approach to handling child sex abuse cases within the Church.
With over 700 cases of clerical child abuse reported in Belgium alone since 2012, it is clear that the Church’s leadership has failed to protect innocent children from predatory clergy members.
Francis’s call for transparency comes too little, too late for the countless victims who have suffered at the hands of abusive priests.
The Pope’s rhetoric falls flat when considering the Church’s track record of shielding offenders and silencing victims.
One example is the case of Bruges Bishop Roger Vangheluwe, who admitted to abusing his nephew for 13 years but was only recently defrocked by Francis.
King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo blasted the Pope’s visit to Belgium.
De Croo expressed his growing frustration with the Church’s inability to effectively address this crisis, saying, “Words alone are not enough, concrete steps must also be taken.”
While Francis claims to prioritize the well-being of victims, his own record on handling abuse cases is far from spotless.
The Pope has faced criticism for allegedly protecting his friend, Slovenian priest Marko Rupnik, who has been accused of sexual abuse.
As the Catholic Church continues to grapple with its dark history of child abuse, it is becoming increasingly clear that real change will not come from within.
The Vatican has resisted updating Church laws to protect minors despite pressure from bishops’ conferences in Germany, Switzerland and Belgium.
The Catholic Church has a history of covering up abuse by transferring predatory priests to new parishes and silencing victims speaks.
Until the Church is willing to fully cooperate with authorities and hold its leaders accountable, these scandals will continue to plague the institution and harm innocent children.
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