Pope summons world's bishop presidents to Rome for meeting on clergy abuse

[True Dough]

What do you expect will come of this, if anything?

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has called all of the presidents of the world's various conferences of Catholic bishops to Rome for a February meeting on clergy sexual abuse, in the first such global summons by a pontiff.

Paloma García Ovejero, the vice director of the Vatican press office, announced the decision in a Sept. 12 briefing, saying the pontiff decided to make the move during a meeting of his advisory Council of Cardinals and has already set the dates for the encounter as Feb. 21-24.

"The Holy Father, hearing from the Council of Cardinals, has decided to call a meeting with the presidents of the bishops' conferences of the Catholic Church on the theme of 'protection of minors,'" said García. "The meeting with the pope will take place at the Vatican."

The announcement of the first-of-its-kind meeting comes as Francis is under intense global scrutiny for his handling of clergy sexual abuse after former Vatican ambassador Archbishop Carlo Vigano released a document Aug. 26 alleging a systemic cover-up of allegations against now ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/francis-summons-worlds-bishop-presidents-rome-meeting-clergy-abuse

[trotsky]

1. Words will be spoken.

The only action that will be acceptable to come out of this is to have the RCC turn over ALL records of abuse to secular authorities, and to assure that going forward, ALL instances of abuse will be reported to secular authorities for FULL investigation, and those involved prosecuted to the fullest extent of secular law. Period.

[Major Nikon]

8. I can think of a few other things

Rules changes like no child will ever be left alone with any church official, even in confession. Establishment of an ombudsman independent of church leadership to report and investigate all suspected cases of abuse. Mandatory reporting requirements for any suspected abuse at all levels of discovery both internally and to local authorities. Mandatory screening of all church employees. Violation of any rule designed to protect children will result in immediate dismissal with no golden parachute.

Lots of other organizations have either proactively instituted similar rules or done so after such problems became public knowledge. The fact that the RCC hasn't done so simply proves they have no interest in protecting children.

[BillyBobBrilliant]

2. It is just too late

to salvage the Catholic Church's credibility, and moral authority. I don't give'a about forgiving 'seven times seventy,' this has gone too far for too long. We need to move beyond this antiquated, irrelevant mythological dream, and take a run at reason, and human compassion.

[MineralMan]

3. And what's he going to tell them?

Cover up better?

[trotsky]

4. More likely it's going to be instructions on how to protect church funds...

from the massive restitution that they will be ordered to pay.

[MineralMan]

5. Ah, yes...That.

[Cartoonist]

6. Circle the wagons

Agenda:

Opening prayer - find a Bible verse that supports abuse. (shouldn't be hard)

Photo swap.

Workshop on protecting church assets.

Seminar on how to blame the victim and declare victimhood for yourself.

Health issues: Erectile dysfunction. STDs. Unwanted pregnancies

Closing prayer. 5 Hail Mary's

[Major Nikon]

7. ...

[Voltaire2]

9. I think South Park covered this like 10 years ago.

[Permanut]

10. February?

Really? February?

[True Dough]

11. Well

there's all that Christmas preparation to do in the meantime, right?

[MineralMan]

12. Things blow over in time. Things get forgotten, or misplaced

in people's minds. Putting things off is a common strategy.

[marylandblue]

13. I don't expect much, but I am hoping he will make structural changes in the church

To increase transparency and cooperation in abuse cases. Also they need an independent sunshine commission to investigate all the old cases and recommend improvements.

This would be painful for the church, so I don't expect them to do it now. But expect they will do it eventually. It only took them 350 years to apologize to Galileo. I hope we don't have to wait so long this time.

[guillaumeb]

14. Some are quick to dismiss. eom

[Cuthbert Allgood]

15. You act like this is a new problem and they need time to figure things out.

They are going to do the same thing every other time these abuse pockets come up. Fuck all. Well, they are going to make sure that the victims don't get to the riches held in The Vatican, but, other than that, they are going to doing nothing.

Oh, wait, maybe they'll promote the guy who hid things like they did last time.

[guillaumeb]

16. A time traveller?

Let me know who won the Super Bowl in 2019.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

17. No. I've seen what they have done before.

Any reason you have to think it's going to be different?

Those of us think that nothing is going to happen have actual history on our side. Those that thing something will be done are the ones that have no history to prove their claim.

[guillaumeb]

18. Vatican II.

Just one example.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

19. Give me one example after Vatican II

of the RCC handling sexual abuse cases of this magnitude well. I'll wait.

[guillaumeb]

21. Moving the goalposts?

You asked for one example of change in response to problems.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

22. Follow the sub-thread g.

We're talking about abuse. Show me one time the church hasn't acted like complete bastards in response to abuse allegations.

[trotsky]

20. Bullshit.

We are skeptical because literally NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. Similar announcements and meetings have occurred in the past - with NO RESULTS.

Until this church does SOMETHING, I will continue to view them with nothing but contempt.