Abuse Survivors Report Disturbing Retaliation from Church Leaders

Victims of clerical sexual abuse continue to face “disturbing” retaliation from leaders within the Catholic Church, despite ongoing efforts to address this global issue. The **Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors** released its second annual report on **October 5, 2023**, detailing the challenges survivors encounter when they speak out against their abusers.

The report, compiled with insights from 40 victims, highlights a “cultural resistance” that persists in many regions, obstructing meaningful action. Survivors shared harrowing accounts of retaliation, describing how church officials minimized their experiences. One victim recalled that after reporting abuse, a bishop warned their family that their complaint could jeopardize a seminarian’s ordination. Another victim faced public excommunication from a local priest following their disclosure.

In the document, victims also reported ongoing instances of abuse in their dioceses. One survivor stated they were aware of priests engaging in inappropriate relationships with underage girls and nuns, while others noted that cases of forced abortions involving religious sisters were routinely ignored by church authorities.

Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of victims’ rights group **BishopAccountability.org**, described the testimonies as “especially sobering,” emphasizing that the Church is still failing to prioritize the safety of children. She commended the commission for revealing the lack of progress in addressing abuse and the cover-ups that have long plagued the institution.

Established by **Pope Francis** in **2014**, the commission aims to confront the pervasive sexual abuse scandals affecting the Catholic Church worldwide. Following years of criticism regarding its effectiveness, Francis integrated the panel into the governance of the **Holy See** in **2022**, calling for an annual report to assess advancements in safeguarding measures.

Key Recommendations for Change

The latest report stresses the necessity of listening to survivors, providing them with psychological and financial support, and, importantly, taking public responsibility for past abuses. The document asserts, “The Church bears a moral and spiritual obligation to heal the deep wounds inflicted from sexual violence perpetrated, enabled, mishandled, or covered up by anyone holding a position of authority in the Church.”

Commission President **Thibault Verny** emphasized that the report serves as a “tool” for the global Catholic Church, which encompasses approximately **1.4 billion followers**. It scrutinizes nearly **20 countries**, spotlighting cultural taboos and the silence surrounding abuse from **Malta** to **Ethiopia**, **Mozambique**, and **Guinea**.

In **Italy**, where the Vatican is based, the report noted significant resistance to addressing abuse. Only **81 out of 226 dioceses** responded to the commission’s survey, raising concerns about the commitment of local bishops to engage with the commission’s efforts.

Bishop Luis Manuel Ali Herrera, the commission’s secretary, remarked that victims often feel unheard and unsupported. He stated, “It is a true cry that the victims raise: they do not feel listened to, not supported, sometimes there is no empathetic relationship, nor even respect.”

Despite various measures implemented by Francis to combat abuse, including mandatory reporting of suspicions to Church authorities, clergy are still not required to report incidents to civil authorities unless mandated by national laws. The confidentiality of confessions remains intact, which complicates accountability further.

Verny noted that **Pope Leo XIV**, who succeeded Francis, has already engaged with the issue early in his term, which began in **May 2023**. Nevertheless, in a recent interview, Leo’s emphasis on the need to protect falsely accused priests drew criticism from victims’ advocacy groups. “There may be false allegations. It must be said that they are a very, very small proportion,” Verny commented.

As the Church grapples with these profound challenges, the voices of abuse survivors underscore a critical need for reform and accountability within the institution. The commission’s report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to confront past misdeeds and foster a safer environment for all members of the community.