The Vatican Secretary of State said this Friday that Pope Francis will have, on the occasion of the World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, a gesture towards the victims of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church.
“The Holy Father will not fail to express his closeness and his concern for the victims of this tragic phenomenon also here in Portugal,” said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, at the press conference preceding the international anniversary pilgrimage in May, which begins today in the Shrine of Fatima, and that he will preside.
Earlier, Vatican No. 2 explained that he cannot be a prophet and, as such, predict what Pope Francis will do about it, but confirmed that the head of the Catholic Church, “in each visit he makes, each country, especially In countries where this topic is a more relevant topic, he always has gestures and always has an attitude that varies from visit to visit, but that will be done”.
“Any gesture that happens will always be done, also, in agreement with the bishops of Portugal,” he said.
Asked about the report of the Independent Commission for the Study of Sexual Abuse against Children in the Portuguese Catholic Church, the cardinal stressed that “this is a path that must be marked by truth and transparency.”
“The response to this issue of abuse is a response from the local Church and, therefore, in this case from the Portuguese Church that made its elections, which made its way,” he said, noting that “the responsibility ends up being The Portuguese”. Church,” she said.
Still on WYD, in the face of criticism about the costs of the infrastructure, in particular the altar, and if this could overshadow the event, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that “naturally, when these big events are held, there are always associated costs, which are also investments.
“They are part not only of this event, which is World Youth Day, but they happened in other events and in other geographies”, he pointed out, admitting that “this type of news is common in the organization of this type of event. “, which are not happy, but rather “cause sadness and suffering”.
“There was also – I am aware of this – a dialogue with civil entities, with the authorities, which also resulted in a reduction in costs and associated expenses, and that was a dialogue that gave results,” he recalled.
Pietro Parolin then drew a parallel when the Italian state or the municipality of Rome make an investment in the city that has to do with the Vatican, noting that there are always media and public opinion pointing fingers, “to say ‘how is it there may be these expenses.”
“However, we cannot forget that all these investments are made in favor of the pilgrims who will visit Rome and, in this case, also Lisbon, and that implies an enrichment for the country at all levels,” he added.
The Independent Commission for the Study of Sexual Abuse against Children in the Portuguese Catholic Church validated 512 of the 564 testimonies received, pointing, by extrapolation, to a minimum number of victims of around 4,815.
Twenty-five cases were reported to the Public Ministry, which led to the opening of 15 inquiries, of which nine have already been filed, leaving six under investigation.
These testimonies refer to cases that occurred between 1950 and 2022, the period covered by the work of the commission.
World Youth Day, the largest event of the Catholic Church, takes place for the first time in Portugal, from August 1 to 6, in Lisbon, where around 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 Vatican Secretary of State presides over the international anniversary pilgrimage in May, which begins at the Shrine of Fatima.
The theme of the pilgrimage is linked to the theme proposed by Pope Francis for WYD, “Mary got up and left in haste”.
The celebrations begin at 9:30 p.m., with the recitation of the rosary, followed by the candlelight procession and the celebration of the word, at the altar of the venue.
On Saturday, the pilgrimage culminates with mass at 10:00 a.m., also at the venue.
Source: TSF
