Papal Letter.pdf

Pope Francis acknowledges the suffering of minors due to sexual abuse, abuse of power, and abuse of conscience by clerics and consecrated persons, causing deep wounds and powerlessness. He recognizes the need for a culture to prevent such situations and cover-ups, reaffirming the commitment to protect minors and vulnerable adults. The Pope expresses shame and repentance for the Church's failure to act timely and adequately, abandoning the little ones. He calls for solidarity, condemning corruption and spiritual corruption, and invites the faithful to a penitential exercise of prayer and fasting to awaken conscience and commitment to a culture of care. The Pope also emphasizes the need for personal and communal conversion, seeing things as the Lord does, and the active participation of all members of God's People to create a culture that says "never again" to every form of abuse, rejecting clericalism and promoting a people-centered approach.