SPAIN
Buenos Aires Herald
A few days ago, a young man from Granada, Spain whose real identity remains unidentified, wrote a letter to the pontiff telling him he had been sexually abused by priests. His case got media attention because Daniel – a pseudonym to preserve his real name – on Sunday heard his cell phone rang. It was Pope Francis personally calling him to ask him for forgiveness in the name of the Roman Catholic Church.
Last week, Daniel wrote Francis a five-letter page in which he described in detail everything he went through during his childhood and adolescence.
After reading the letter, the Argentine pope decided to call him.
“I could do nothing else but to feel moved and feel an immense sorrow while reading your story. I want to ask you for forgiveness in the name of all the Church of Christ. Forgive us for this too serious sin and too serious crime you have suffered. Forgive us, my child, for the sorrow that was caused you and for so much you must have suffered,” Francis was quoted as telling Daniel by the Religión Digital newswebsite.
“These wounds make the Church feel completly resentful. You have my full support and the support of the whole Church,” the pontiff reportedly said adding that he was thanking God for Daniel “to keep his faith and continue in the Church.”
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.