Pope Francis Says 'God Weeps' For Sex Abuse Victims
While visiting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the last leg of his recent U.S. visit, Pope Francis spoke out regarding sexual abuse committed by Catholic clergy, saying that "God weeps" for the victims of such acts.
While visiting the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia on Sunday, Francis met with five victims of sexual abuse who were either abused by clergy, teachers or relatives.
Following the private, one-on-one meetings with each victim, Francis told a meeting of bishops that those who survived the sexual abuse as minors have become "true heralds of mercy."
"The people who had the responsibility to take care of these tender ones violated that trust and caused them great pain," he said.
"Those who have survived this abuse have become true heralds of mercy. Humbly we owe each of them our gratitude for their great value, as they have had to suffer terrible abuse, sexual abuse of minors," the pope added.
The pope followed up on his condemnation of the sexual abuse during his flight back to the Vatican on Sunday, arguing that the abuse is "sacrilegious" and the bishops who helped cover it up are guilty.
"When a priest abuses, it is very grave because the vocation of the priest is to make that boy, that girl grow toward the love of God," Francis told reporters. "For this reason, the church is strong on this and one must not cover these things up. Those who covered this up are guilty. Even some bishops who covered this up."
