The pope opened the summit on abuses in the Church …

Opening today in Rome of the meeting of bishops presidents of episcopal conferences around the world on "The protection of minors in the Church", Pope Francis spoke without euphemism "the scourge of badual abuse perpetrated by Church men against children of old age "and categorically stated that" the Holy People of God is watching us and expecting from us, not only simple and obvious sentences, but also concrete and effective measures " .

With the synodal hall occupied by about 190 participants, including cardinals, archbishops and bishops, Jorge Bergoglio asked "to discuss together, in a synodal, sincere and profound way, how to deal with this evil afflicting the world. Church and humanity "because we must listen to" the cry of the little ones who ask for justice "and because" we feel the weight of pastoral and ecclesial responsibility ".

The day before, the Maltese archbishop Charles Scicluna, one of the bishops to whom the pope had entrusted the organization of the episcopal meeting, had met for two hours a dozen representatives of victims of death. badual abuse in the Church. On this occasion, the participants again called for "decisions of" transparency "and" concrete "decisions.

Today, the Pope has distributed to participants a document containing "guidelines" to help reflection reflecting this same view, synthesizing proposals from episcopal conferences as well as those who have been victims of abuse. . "It comes from you and comes back to you, and it does not take away from the creativity that can be born," Francisco told the badembled bishops.

In his last prayer, the pope asked God "to support us in these days and to help us turn this evil into an opportunity for awareness and purification" and the Virgin Mary who "enlighten us in our attempt to heal serious injuries that the scandal of pedophilia has caused both children and believers.

After the initial address of the pope, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle spoke at a presentation entitled "The smell of the sheep, Feel the difficulties and dress the wounds, the center of the task of the shepherd". Later, Archbishop Charles Scicluna called the "Field Hospital Church" and asked to "badume his responsibilities".

The meeting will work in committees by language groups and will last until next Sunday.

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