“It is perhaps the most difficult part of being a pastor: knowing that our listening and our efforts at healing and justice will likely fall short of what survivors are looking for. It’s a sober reminder that ultimately only God’s grace can make whole what sin has broken.”
O’Malley’s message came as the Italian bishops discussed whether to hold a national inquiry into abuse.
Italian associations joined together in February to coordinate a movement against abuse in the Catholic Church in Italy. The network, which calls itself #ItalyChurchToo, is pushing the bishops to carry out an independent investigation into clerical sexual abuse in Italy over the last 70 years.
The consortium sent a letter to the Italian bishops’ conference on May 23 at the start of its general assembly.
“We demand truth, justice, and prevention,” it said, calling for an investigation into abuse, the opening of Church archives, compensation for victims, and a strict application of Pope Francis’ norms on the handling of abuse cases by bishops.
In his message, Cardinal O’Malley said that “the reality is that we will be judged on our response to the abuse.”
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