Pope Francis Meets Victims Of Church Sexual Harassment In Portugal

Pope Francis/DOK via Instagram @franciscus

JAKARTA - Pope Francis held a private meeting with victims of sexual harassment by Catholic priests in Portugal.

The meeting at the Vatican's Apostolic Nunsiatur or Diplomatic Mission in Lisbon on Wednesday (2/8) lasted more than an hour in an intensive listening atmosphere, according to a Vatican News report.

"Tonight, after ending the institutional and church meeting, Pope Francis received 13 victims of abuse by pastor members who were accompanied by several church organizations committed to protecting minors," said Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, August 3.

In February 2023, the Independent Commission for the Study of Child Sexual Harassment at the Catholic Church in Portugal released a final report that authorized the testimony of harassment cases between 1950 and 2022, highlighting more than 4,800 victims.

Pope Francis has repeatedly urged everyone in the church to support the victims and fight violations.

Francis held the first global summit at the Vatican in February 2019 to address harassment issues.

Since then, he has made some canonical legal adjustments to punish violators, encourage changes in attitude, and protect young people and vulnerable groups.

The Pope will continue his visit to Sunday (6/8) in Lisbon to commemorate World Youth Day.