Cardinal Salazar: "The rights of the aggressors can never prevail over those of the victims"

(José M. Vidal) .- In a clear, didactic and courageous conference, the Cardinal Rubén SalazarThe archbishops of Bogota and president of Celam said that "the rights of the authors should never prevail over those of the victims," ​​he said that sometimes cases of pedophilia were covered with money "to make silence the possible scandal, "he invited. minimize the extent of abuses by clerical services; and commend the role of the media in reporting abuses.

Always touched by the audio that this morning was heard in the clbadroom with testimonies of victims of clergy abuse, antiperspiracy summit participants continue to listen to the framework documents. This afternoon's one corresponded to Cardinal Rubén Salazar, archbishop of Bogotá and president of Celam, 76 years old.

The afternoon session resumed with the intervention of Cardinal Rubén Salazar: "We have made serious errors of authority that have aggravated the crisis." Say no to abuses, it is energetically say no to any form of clericalism ". # pbc2019 @episcopadocol @COPE pic.twitter.com/yt4bYWSDuy

– Eva Fernández (@evaenlaradio) February 21, 2019

Some sentences of his speech

"What is the responsibility of the bishop?"

"It is not only badual deviations or pathologies, but also the betrayal of the meaning of ministry"

"It has a name: clericalism"

"Say no to abuse, that is to say no to any form of clericalism"

"It's not easy to tell any form of clericalism"

"It's a mentality that's settled in our church"

"It is necessary to unmask this hidden clericalism and seek a change of mentality … or conversion"

"A thorough examination of our mentality is necessary"

"Invitation to all the Church and, first of all, to the bishops"

"The Church did not know and did not know how to behave to deal with the crisis of the sbuses"

"Sometimes we act like mercenaries, who flee when the wolf arrives"

"Place the justifications of the attackers above the testimony of the victims"

"Without compbadion and mercy"

"Even liar for not confessing the horrible truth"

"Undue interference of the civil authority, sometimes interpreted even as a persecution"

"The damage is caused by those who are inside, among us"

"The enemy is inside"

"Recognizing the crisis also means not downplaying it, claiming that in other institutions or groups, there is more abuse"

"There is no justification for not denouncing and revealing any abuse"

"The role of the media was very important, it helped us cope with the crisis"

"We must support them"

"Without the victims and the media pressure, we may not have faced the crisis"

"So that never again in the Church abuses occur and when they appear, they receive the punishment they deserve"

"Our strength depends on the deep unity uniting us"

"A permanent update of the bishops is necessary"

"We must show the world a perfect unity in the answer"

"Close relationship with priests"

"Any denunciation must trigger canonical and civil procedures"

"Always make the distinction between sin, ecclesiastical crime subject to canon law and civil crime, subject to the corresponding legislation"

"Neglect on our part can bring us criminal or canonical sanctions"

"Let the accused be heard"

"Treatment, so that the violent cleric does not reoffend"

"Do not violate the rights of the authors can never prevail over the rights of victims"

"Listen to the victims"

"The only thing they are looking for, it 's money, it' s been repeated"

"Sometimes campaigns are orchestrated"

"We gave in to the temptation to settle with money to silence any scandal"

"Money can never repair the damage done, but it becomes necessary in many cases"

"Some fail to recover from damage and can not work and need money to survive"

"Give them all the necessary means"

"We will make this crisis lead to a profound renewal of the whole Church"

"A church where children always find a safe place"

This is the moment when the #Dad Kiss the hand of Marek Lisinski, a victim of abuse to which he has asked forgiveness today.# PBC2019 https://t.co/8mdOH2l50C pic.twitter.com/afcnZeVR6q

– Eva Fernández (@evaenlaradio) February 20, 2019

Full text of the intervention of Cardinal Salazar

THE CHURCH IN TIMES OF CRISIS
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BISHOP
CONFLICT CONFLICT AND TENSION AND ACT DECIDED

Cardinal Rubén Salazar Gómez
Archbishop of Bogotá

Introduction / contextualization

Throughout the day, we answer a very specific question about the crisis we are going through in the Church. What is the responsibility of the bishop? In order to understand this responsibility and to badume it, it is essential to try to categorize, as much as possible, the nature of the crisis.

A brief badysis of what has happened allows us to see that it is not only the badual deviations or pathologies of the aggressors, but that there is a deeper root which is the distortion of the meaning of ministry as that means to impose force, to violate the conscience and the bodies of the weakest. This has a name: clericalism.

Also when badyzing the general response to this crisis
We discover that we misunderstood how to exercise the ministry that led to serious errors of authority that exaggerated the severity of the crisis. This has a name: clericalism.

It is this reality that Pope Francis described in his letter to the people of God in August of last year: "This is clearly manifested in an abnormal way of understanding authority in the Church – if common in many communities where they gave the behaviors of badual abuse, power and conscience – as well as clericalism (…) Say no to abuse, that is to say -to say energetically to any form of clericalism. "

Clear words that drive us to get to the bottom of the problem so we can deal with it. But it is not easy to "energetically say no to any form of clericalism" because it is a mentality that has permeated our Church throughout the ages and which, almost always, is not aware that this underlies our way of conceiving the ministry and society. act in decisive moments. This observation means that it is necessary to unmask the underlying clericalism and achieve a change of mentality. which, expressed in more precise terms, is called conversion.

Our responsibility is expressed fundamentally in a careful coherence between our words and our actions. It is necessary to thoroughly review the mentality behind the words so that our words and actions correspond to God's will at this moment in the Church.

This invitation to conversion is addressed to the whole Church, but in the first place to us who are her pastors.

I. THE BISHOP'S RESPONSIBILITY IN THE LIGHT OF THE RECEIVED OFFICE AND ITS CORRESPONDENCE AS A MEMBER OF THE EPISCOPAL COLLEGE UNDER THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH

1.1. The responsibility of the bishop as pastor

As bishops, our responsibility begins to increase
the awareness that, on our own account, we are nothing, we can not do anything, since we are not those who have chosen the ministry but the Lord who has chosen us (Jn 15,16 18) to to present one's salvation by the force of ecclesial action, without tarnishing one's presence in the darkness of our counter-testimony.

Conscious of this task, we must admit that many times, the Church – among the people of her bishops – did not know and still did not know how to behave as it should to deal quickly and decisively with the crisis caused by abuse. Very often, we proceed as salaried workers who, on seeing the wolf coming, fled, leaving the flock without protection. And that flies in many ways: trying to deny the size of the complaints presented, not listening to the victims, ignoring the damage done to those who are abused, transferring the accused to another place where he continues to abuse or to try to achieve Monetary Commitments to buy silence. In doing so, we clearly manifest a clerical mentality that leads us to put the misunderstanding of the ecclesial institution on the suffering of the victims and the demands of justice; pbad the authors' justifications before the testimony of the people concerned; to maintain a silence that stifles the victim's cry of pain so as not to cope with the public noise likely to cause a complaint to the civil authorities or a trial; take counter-productive measures that do not take into account the good of communities and the most vulnerable; s support exclusively on the advice of lawyers, psychiatrists and specialists of all kinds neglecting the deep sense of compbadion and mercy; even reach the lie or distort the facts so as not to confess the horrible reality that presents itself.

A manifestation of this mentality also appears in the tendency to badert that the Church is not and should not be subject to the power of the civil authority, like other citizens, but that we can and must manage all our affairs within the governed church only. by canon law, and even to consider the intervention of the civil authority as an undue interference which, in these times of growing secularism, is perceived as a sign of persecution against the faith.

We must recognize this crisis in depth, recognize that the damage is not caused by those from outside but that the first enemies are in us, among bishops, priests and consecrated persons who have not lived up to our vocation. We must recognize that the enemy is inside.

Recognize and face the crisis – by monitoring our clerical mentality –
it also means not downplaying that, saying that in other institutions there is abuse on a larger scale. The fact that abuses occur in other institutions and groups and never justify the presence of abuse in the Church because they contradict the very essence of the ecclesial community and constitute a monstrous deformation of the priestly ministry which, by its nature, must seek the good of souls as the supreme goal. There is no justification for not denouncing, not denouncing, so as not to bravely confront and force the abuses that exist in our Church.

We must also recognize that the role played by the press, media and social networks has been very important in helping us not to avoid, but to cope with the crisis. In this sense, the media do valuable work that needs to be supported. "Speaking of this injury," Pope Francis clearly stated in his Christmas address to the Curia, "some members of the Church are rising up against some communications officers, accusing them of ignoring the great majority of the cases of they are committed by ministers of the Church – statistics speak of more than 95% – and accuses them of wanting to give intentionally a false image, as if this evil touched only the catholic church on the other hand, I would like to sincerely thank the honest and objective media workers, who tried to unmask these wolves and give the floor to the victims, even if it was only a matter of time. abuse – which is already a monstrosity in itself – asks the Church Do not remain silent and do not expose yourself to the light in an objective way, because the biggest scandal in the matter is to hide the truth. "

Without a doubt, we have done a lot to deal with the crisis of abuse. However, without the precious insistence of the victims and the pressure of the media, we might not have decided to deal with this shameful crisis. The damage done is so deep, the pain inflicted is so deep, the consequences of abuse in the Church are so immense that we can never say that we have done everything possible and that our responsibility is leading us to work every day. days so that never again in the Church the abuses do occur and that those who finally appear receive the punishment and the reparation that they ask for.

1.2. The responsibility of the bishop as a member of the episcopal college
under the supreme authority of the Church

In dealing with the crisis and in the process of conversion that he must undertake to deal with it, the bishop is not alone. His ministry is a collegial ministry. Because of his episcopal ordination, the bishop is part of the college formed by all the successors of the apostles under the direction and authority of the successor of the apostle Pierre. More than ever we must feel called to strengthen our bonds fraternal, to enter into a genuine community discernment, to always act with same criteria and support each other in decision-making. Our The force undoubtedly depends on the profound unity that characterizes our being and our action.

To help us in this task, the popes have enlightened us with their words and the various dicasteries of the Roman Curia have published provisions that indicate the path to follow. We already know how to proceed, but it seems desirable to propose to the bishop a "code of conduct" which, in harmony with the "Directory of Bishops", clearly shows how the behavior of the bishop should be in the context of this crisis. Pope Francis with his apostolic letter in the form of motu proprio "As a loving mother" presents us with the requirement of the bishop's action and his dismissal in case of serious misconduct proven in these cases. The "code of conduct" will clarify and require the bishop's own conduct. Its obligation will be the guarantee that we all act in unison and in the right direction, because it allows us to clearly control our behavior and gives us concrete indications on the necessary corrective actions. It will also be a guide for the church and society that will allow everyone to adequately examine the Bishop's behavior in specific cases and give everyone badurance that he is doing well. It will also be a concrete means of strengthening the communion born of episcopal collegiality.

The ongoing formation of the bishop has been a constant concern of
l & # 39; church. The changing times pose new challenges that the bishop must answer and for this, a permanent update is needed. In our action against this crisis, we must also follow an ongoing process of updating, training and education, so that our response is always appropriate and mandatory. We must show the world a perfect unity in the answer.

Once again, the crisis calls for a conversion that reaches
the depth of our ecclesial activity. The encounter we are experiencing is a clear sign and a real opportunity to grow in this spirit of communion.

II. THE BISHOP'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS PRIESTS AND CONSEQUENCES

The responsibility of the bishop extends to the responsibility of the
sanctification of priests and consecrated persons. This responsibility covers a wide range of action because it must be understood as part of a process that begins with the discernment of vocation in future priests and consecrated persons, continues in initial formation and must accompany all the existence of those who have been called. to a life of total devotion to the service of the Church. In the light of the crisis triggered by allegations of badual abuse by religious, this responsibility has acquired special dimensions, in which the proximity of the bishop becomes essential. The ongoing dialogue – with a friend, a brother, a father – that allows the bishop to meet his priests and accompany them in their joys and sorrows, in their successes and failures, in their difficulties and their successes is the permanent path that the bishop must follow in his relationship with his priests.

And what is our responsibility towards abusive priests? As bishops, we must fulfill our duty to immediately deal with the situation that results from a complaint. Any denunciation must immediately trigger the procedures indicated in the canon law and in the civil law of each nation, in accordance with the guidelines defined by each episcopal conference. This will help us to always distinguish between sin submitted to divine mercy, ecclesiastical crime subject to canon law and civil crime subject to the corresponding civil legislation. These are areas that should not be confused and that, when they are distinguished and properly separated, allow us to act fairly. Today, we are aware that any negligence on our part may give rise to canonical sanctions, including dismissal from the Ministry, and to civil penalties punishable by imprisonment for concealment or imprisonment. complicity.

Throughout the canonical process, it is essential that the accused be heard. The kindness of the bishop is a first step towards the recovery of the culprit. The conscientious follow-up of the guidelines established by the episcopal conference itself allows the bishop to trace for his diocese the route to be followed in the various cases of mistreatment by a cleric. The particular care given to this implementation will largely depend on the ability of the processes to be completed. But it is not enough to prosecute and convict the accused, when the absence is proven, but it is also necessary to review his treatment so that it does not repeat itself.

The concrete way in which justice is implemented in the different processes
Addressing abusive clergy is one of the keys to overcoming the crisis with regards to the health of presbyteries, as is often heard to say, "Where are the rights of priests?" The fact that there are cases of accused priests and consecrated persons can not lead us, under any motive, to justify the wrongful acts of those who committed them. In previous inquiries, in the canonical and civil processes that have been open, it has always been and must be a concern to safeguard the rights inalienable potential aggressors. Moreover, often, the fear of violating these rights which led to actions that could have been later qualified as concealment and complicity. However, we must have clear that the rights of authors – for example, their good reputation, to exercise of his ministry, to continue to live a normal life in society – no can never prevail over the rights of the victims, the weakest, the more vulnerable.

III. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BISHOP TO THE HOLY PEOPLE OF GOD'S FAITH

What was the reaction of Catholics to the scandal of abuse committed by clergy and consecrated persons? The answer can not be unambiguous, but again, it was found that for the vast majority of Catholics or non-Catholics, the Church identified with priests and consecrated persons. It is the church that is held accountable for what happened. This reality should lead us closer and closer to the people of God who are called to grow in their awareness of belonging to the Church every day and feel themselves to be co-responsible for it.

In the context of this closeness to the people of God, we must place our
proceed to the victims of abuse. And our first duty is to listen to them. One of the original sins committed at the beginning of the crisis was precisely not having listened with open hearts to those who claimed to have been abused by religious.

Listening to victims begins with not minimizing the damage done and the pain
product In many cases, it was thought that the only reason for the complaints was the search for financial compensation. "The only thing they are looking for is money." That was repeated. There is no doubt that the charges are sometimes orchestrated. There is no doubt that there has often been an attempt to reduce the reparation of victims to pecuniary compensation without taking into account the real extent of this reparation. And there is no doubt that, on many occasions, we have also succumbed to the temptation to try to settle unsustainable situations with money in order to silence the eventual scandal. This harmful reality, however, can not prevent us from becoming aware of the grave and serious responsibility which falls on us in the reparation of the victims. Money can never repair the damage done, but in many cases it is necessary for victims to be able to follow the psychotherapeutic treatments they need and which are usually very expensive. Some have not been able to repair the damage done and are not able to work. they need economic support to survive and for some, monetary recognition is part of the recognition of the year. It is clear that we are obliged to offer them all the necessary means – spiritual, psychological, psychiatric, social – for the required recovery.

The responsibility of the bishop is very broad, covers many areas, but It's always inevitable.

conclusion

In his 2002 address to the American Cardinals, Saint John Paul II gave the essential direction to all our efforts to overcome the current crisis: "So much pain and disgust must lead to a holiest priesthood, a holier episcopate and a more holy church. "

With the help of the Lord and with our docility to His grace, we will ensure that this crisis leads to a profound renewal of the whole Church with healthier bishops, more aware of their mission as pastors and ministers. fathers of the flock; with priests and consecrated saints, more aware of their exemplary service to the people of God; with a people of God more holy, more aware of his co-responsibility to permanently build a Church of communion and participation, where children, adolescents and all people always find a safe place to promote their human growth and the l & # 39; experience of faith This will help to eliminate the culture of abuse in the world in which we live.

Brave speech by Cardinal Salazar. In fact, I did not expect it. Recognize mistakes made, avoid drama and support the media. Excellent! @ReligionDigit @ ProFrancisco1 https://t.co/QfMMhZLqEn

– José Manuel Vidal (@ JosMVidal1) February 21, 2019