Pope Francis on Sunday considered child sexual abuse “a monstrosity” and a “diabolical” act, arguing that it must be fought within the Catholic Church.
“When we talk about abuse, I would say that it is necessary to have that panorama, second, try not to hide things, because in some sectors, like in the family, there is a tendency to hide, and third, let’s take [Igreja] in the percentage that concerns us and we are going to fight,” the Pope said, in an interview with TVI/CNN Portugal.
In the first part of the interview broadcast this Sunday, with the rest on Monday, Francis did not deny sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
“I do not deny the abuse. Even if it was only one, it is monstrous, because the priest and the nun have to take the boy, the girl to God and, in doing so, they destroy their lives, ”he said.
The Pope stressed that child sexual abuse destroys lives and denied that it is related to celibacy in the Church.
“Abuse is a destructive thing. Humanly diabolical. Because in families there is no celibacy and it also occurs. So it is simply the monstrosity of a church man or woman, who is psychologically ill or unwell and uses his position for his personal benefit. satisfaction. It’s diabolical,” she stressed.
In one of the interview promos published by TVI and CNN, the Pope also referred to his presence at World Youth Day, next year in Portugal: “I think I’m going. Go Francisco or João XXIV. But the Pope is come on,” he said, laughing.
During the interview, the Pope was asked for a word that “brings light and reconciliation on the path of the Portuguese Church, which is currently going through a very difficult moment, until Youth Day”, to which he replied: “Look at the window and ask yourself if your life has an open window, if you don’t, open it as soon as possible, don’t be myopic, you should know that we are walking towards the future and that there is a path. Don’t close yourself”.
“You can’t live without hope, you can’t live without this positive momentum of hope,” he said.
The Pope also stated that the advice he gives to the Portuguese Church to prepare for World Youth Day, which will take place in August 2023 in Portugal, is to “open the window”.
“See beyond the nose. Look, open, look at the horizon. And widen the heart ”, she underlined her.
Source: TSF
