SW News: The clerical sexual abuse crisis is particularly serious for the Church, said Pope Francis while addressing members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Vatican. He said the malaise undermines the capability of the Church to “fully embrace and bear witness to God’s liberating presence”.

He acknowledged that the debacle in taking prompt action to tackle this mess and to help the victims has affected the bearing witness to the love of God. The pontiff said that the “sins of omission” although they appear to be less real do not appear to be minimal in terms of their depth or gravity. The Holy Father said that they have been the reason for a scandal for many people.

However, the pope said that the clerical sex abuse crisis has not made the Church remain silent or inactive. He pointed out the recent motu proprio Vos Estis Lux Mundi which holds bishops and superiors of religious communities responsible for reporting and probing abuse cases. It also sets aside places where allegations can be reported and those who are harmed can be cared for. “Those rules, he said, are now permanently in place,” said the pontiff.

Addressing the commission, the pope told them to “persevere and keep moving forward and not to grow discouraged when it seems that little is changing for the better”. He urged them to bear in mind “God’s creative power to make hope emerge from despair”.

He then encouraged them to be gentle in their ways by “bearing one another’s burdens without complaining but considering that this moment of reparation for the Church will pave the way to a further moment in the history of salvation. Now is the time to repair the damage done to previous generations and to those who continue to suffer”.

The pontiff stressed “the importance of safeguarding minors and vulnerable persons which must be the rule for everyone”.