An influential cardinal castigated Thursday, February 17 at the Vatican the "
criminal behavior too long concealed to protect the institution
" in the crisis that the Church is going through on sexual assaults on minors, at the opening of an important colloquium on the priesthood in presence of Pope Francis.
Read alsoJean-Marie Le Méné: “
The Church cannot approve the legalization of assisted suicide
”
In the context of the "
drama of sexual abuse committed by clerics
", "
we are all torn and humiliated by these crucial questions which question us every day as members of the Church
", declared Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet in his opening speech in the Paul VI hall, in front of many religious and secular leaders.
"
Shouldn't we rather abstain from speaking of the priesthood when the sins and crimes of unworthy ministers make the headlines of the international press (...)?
asked Bishop Ouellet, close to the pope and main organizer of these three days of theological reflection on the role of priests.
request for forgiveness
"
This is a good opportunity to express our sincere regret and again ask for forgiveness from the victims who have seen their lives destroyed by criminal behavior that has been concealed for too long and treated lightly in order to protect the institution and the culprits rather than the victims
" , added Bishop Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, one of the most important functions of the Roman Curia (government of the Vatican).
"
This symposium takes note of the outcry and anger of the people of God, so we are here to unite our voices with those who call for truth and justice
".
Pope Francis did not mention the subject in his speech, which focused on four "
pillars
" drawn from his personal experience.
Read alsoSexual abuse in the Church: doubt about the figures
Again defending “
clericalism
”, he insisted on the “
gift
” of “
celibacy
” of priests, which “
to be experienced as sanctification, requires healthy relationships
”.
“
Without friends and without prayer, celibacy can become an unbearable burden and a counter-witness to the very beauty of the priesthood.
", did he declare.
Some 500 people are due to participate until Saturday in this international colloquium on the priesthood, the most important event organized in the Vatican since the health crisis, while the figure of the priest is marred by new reports on the extent of sexual violence against minors. in many countries.
On Tuesday, Italian victims' associations launched an unprecedented campaign to demand an independent investigation in line with those carried out in Germany or France.
