Pope Francis insists pedophile criminals be ‘severely’ punished

VATICAN CITY
Manila Bulletin

by AP
May 1, 2016

Pope Francis is insisting that pedophiles who abuse children be severely punished.

Speaking to faithful in St. Peter’s Square Sunday (May 1, 2016), he greeted an Italian organization dedicated to fighting child abuse.

Calling pedophilia a “tragedy,” Pope Francis said “we mustn’t tolerate abuses on minors.”

He adds “we must defend minors and severely punish the abusers.”

Pope Francis didn’t mention pedophile scandals in the Catholic church in which bishops systematically transferred pedophile priests around parishes instead of reporting them to police. Victims’ groups have demanded Pope Francis punish such bishops.

Italians were recently shocked by the death of a 6-year-old near Naples thrown from the roof of an eight-story building after trying to resist her rapist.

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