TEXAS
Houston Chronicle
By Allan Turner
April 11, 2014
Advocates for children sexually molested by Catholic clergy Friday hailed Pope Francis’ apology and call for forgiveness – the pontiff’s strongest statement to date on the scandal that has rocked the church – but suggested the remarks mean little unless followed by tough action against church leaders who protected offenders.
“It’s a step in the right direction. It’s about time. But so much more needs to be done,” said Miguel Prats, cofounder and president of the Houston-based Maria Goretti Network, a lay Catholic victims’ support group. “The real thing that gets us is the bishops that allowed this stuff to happen, that moved priests around and covered up crimes – they haven’t been held to account.”
Prats, 61, said he was fondled by a priest when he was a teenager. “I’m in love with my church,” he said. “I’m trying to forgive, but it’s very hard.”
Francis made his Vatican remarks Friday to members of a French children’s protective group, saying the church, with more than 1 billion members worldwide, is committed to strengthening child-protection programs and punishing offenders.
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