New pope, same secrecy pledge

UNITED STATES
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

POSTED BY BARBARA DORRIS ON FEBRUARY 24, 2014

Many assume or believe that Pope Francis is making significant changes in the church. We’re pretty skeptical of this claim.

Last week, he installed new cardinals. As he did, it was clear that one important part of the Catholic culture is NOT changing, according to the National Catholic Reporter:

“When making the oath, the cardinals also pledge ‘not to make known to anyone matters entrusted to me in confidence, the disclosure of which could bring damage or dishonor to Holy Church.’”

[National Catholic Reporter]

This is, of course, the requirement and mindset that enables bishops to continue to stonewall prosecutors, destroy evidence, intimidate victims, threaten whistleblowers, discredit witnesses and hide and transfer predators from city to city and from nation to nation.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.