My hopes for the Synod on synodality

[Stella]

I pray that heads together the Holy Spirit can help the Church be rid of sexual abuses. It must somehow create an environment where abusers aren't attracted to the Priesthood and that they aren't safe from accountability if they do make it in.

What do others think about the most important issues that need dealing with at the Synod?

[peregrinator]

I really do hate to be negative but I doubt that sex abuse is even on the Synod's radar. I could be wrong, but to make it a major part of the agenda would be a huge rebuke of the Pope.

[Stella]

I do think it will be high on the agenda. Pope Francis created the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors back in 2014, specifically to study ways to make the institution safer for people from sexual abuse. That Commission has asked that it be on the Synods agenda. From the request...

"We ask, that sexual abuse in the Church permeate your discussions as they address teaching, ministry, formation, and governance," the Commission members wrote, noting, "As a community of the reconciled, the Church’s sacred worship should also find adequate inclusion and expression of this most intimate of Church failures."

"While at times it may seem like a daunting set of questions to face," they acknowledge, "please rise to the challenge so that you may address, in a comprehensive way, the threat posed by sexual abuse to Church’s credibility in announcing the Gospel."

They urge Synod participants to dedicate meaningful time and space to integrate the testimony of victims and survivors into your work, noting that most Synod’s participants have their own experiences of confronting or dealing with sexual abuse in the Church, which could become an explicit part of their deliberations.

"We urge you to work towards the day when all ministries in the Church become places of welcome, empathy and reconciliation for those impacted by abuse," they add.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news ... synod.html

[peregrinator]

I do think it will be high on the agenda. Pope Francis created the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors back in 2014, specifically to study ways to make the institution safer for people from sexual abuse. That Commission has asked that it be on the Synods agenda. From the request...

So the Holy See just ruled that Cardinal Ricard - who admitted abusing a 14 year-old girl back when he was a 40-something priest - can minister in the diocese in which he resides (as long as the Ordinary permits it) and retains the right to vote in a Conclave.

Add to this the huge and growing scandal over Rupnik, and you can see why I'm skeptical about the Pope's dedication to ending sex abuse. I don't think he sees it as important.