Dublin: In 2018, during a visit to Dublin, Pope Francis extended his meeting with clerical abuse survivors by an hour, listening intently to their accounts. This gesture deeply moved many present. However, some felt that while the Pope’s intentions were sincere, his actions fell short in addressing the Church’s historical failures.
Rev. Paddy McCafferty, abused in the 1980s, remarked, “I don’t think anyone can do enough,” adding, “I think he did his best.”
Pope Francis prioritized confronting the Church’s abuse scandals, establishing the Vatican’s first anti-abuse commission and implementing new reporting procedures. He also became the first pope to expel a cardinal from the priesthood for sexual abuse. Despite these measures, survivors and advocacy groups felt that the Church’s accountability mechanisms remained inadequate.
Clerical sexual abuse victim Juan Carlos Cruz has kept his letters from the late Pope Francis, with whom he says he developed a ‘magical’ friendship https://t.co/KNHtNHxYiX pic.twitter.com/dulwQYg2XR
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 25, 2025
Marie Collins, a survivor who met the Pope in Dublin and later resigned from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, stated, “He gave survivors a lot of hope when he came into office, promising transparency and change.” She added, “We did get some but I don’t think it has gone any way far enough.”
The commission faced internal challenges, leading to the resignation of founding member Rev. Hans Zollner in 2023. While the commission released its first annual report advocating for more effective punishment of offending clergy, it also highlighted difficulties in engaging local Catholic communities.
Also Read | Nantes School Attack: Student Kills One and Wounds Three in Stabbing Incident
In 2019, following a summit on child sex abuse, Pope Francis enacted legislation to broaden the definition of sexual crimes and removed the “pontifical secrecy” rule, which had previously hindered information sharing with civil authorities. Yet, critics argue that the Church still lacks transparency and external oversight.
Anne Barrett Doyle of Bishop Accountability expressed disappointment, stating that the Pope’s inability to fully deliver on his promises would tarnish his legacy. She emphasized the need for decisive action to protect children worldwide.
Also Read | Commemorative March Honors Auschwitz Victims 80 Years Later
Juan Carlos Cruz, a Chilean survivor and current commission member, acknowledged the Pope’s efforts, especially after a personal meeting where Francis apologized for initially dismissing abuse claims in Chile. Cruz remains hopeful, emphasizing the importance of continued advocacy.
For many survivors, Pope Francis’s words provided solace, but they seek more substantial reforms. Clodagh Malone, who shared her story during the Dublin meeting, described the experience as “life-changing”. However, she and others continue to call for concrete actions to address the Church’s past and prevent future abuses.
