This Friday, the Secretary of State of the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would make a gesture for victims of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church on the occasion of World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon.
“The Holy Father will not fail to express his closeness and concern for the victims of this tragic phenomenon here in Portugal,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin said at a press conference ahead of the international commemorative pilgrimage in May, which begins this Friday Monday at the Sanctuary of Fatima. which he will lead.
Previously, Vatican No. 2 clarified that it cannot be a prophet and, as such, predict what Pope Francis will do in this regard, but confirmed that the head of the Catholic Church “on every visit to every country, especially in countries where this topic is more topical, there are always gestures and there is always an attitude that changes from visit to visit, but which will be done.”
“Any step that takes place will always be made in agreement with the bishops of Portugal,” he assured.
Asked about the report of the Independent Commission for the Study of Child Sexual Abuse in the Portuguese Catholic Church, the cardinal stressed that “this is a path that must be marked with truth and transparency.”
“The answer to this question about abuses is the answer of the local church and therefore in this case the Portuguese church, which made its choice, which made its choice,” he said, noting that “responsibility ultimately lies with the Portuguese church.” . church,” he said.
Back at WYD, faced with criticism of infrastructure costs, namely the altar, and if this could overshadow the event, Cardinal Pietro Parolin referred to the fact that “naturally, when these big events take place, there are always associated costs, which are also investments.”
“They are not only part of this event, which is World Youth Day, but they have occurred in other events and in other regions,” he noted, acknowledging that “this type of news is a common occurrence in organizing these types of events.” “, which do not please, but “cause sadness and suffering.”
“There was also – I know about it – a dialogue with civil actors, with the authorities, which also led to a reduction in costs and associated costs, and it was a dialogue that yielded results,” he recalled.
Pietro Parolin later drew a parallel when an Italian state or municipality of Rome invests in a city linked to the Vatican, noting that there is always the media and public opinion pointing the finger “to say, ‘How is that?’ these costs may be.
“However, we cannot forget that all these investments are made for the benefit of the pilgrims who will visit Rome and, in this case, also Lisbon, and this implies the enrichment of the country at all levels,” he added.
An independent commission for the study of child sexual abuse in the Portuguese Catholic Church confirmed 512 of the 564 testimonies received, indicating, by extrapolation, that the minimum number of victims was about 4,815.
Twenty-five cases were reported to the prosecutor’s office, resulting in 15 investigations, nine of which have already been archived and six are still under investigation.
These testimonies refer to cases that took place between 1950 and 2022, the period covered by the commission’s work.
World Youth Day, the largest event of the Catholic Church, is taking place for the first time in Portugal from 1 to 6 August in Lisbon, where about 1.5 million people are expected. On the occasion of the Pope’s visit to the Portuguese capital, a presence at the Sanctuary of Fatima is also planned.
The Secretary of State of the Vatican is presiding over the international pilgrimage commemorating the anniversary of May, which begins this Friday at the Sanctuary of Fatima.
The theme of the pilgrimage is related to the theme proposed by Pope Francis for WYD: “Mary got up and left in a hurry.”
The festivities begin at 21:30 with a rosary followed by a procession of candles and the celebration of the Word on the altar of the enclosure.
On Saturday, the pilgrimage ends with mass at 10 am, also in the enclosure.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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