Pope Leo calls on Catholic Church to make amends to abuse victims
Pope Leo XIV has called on the Catholic Church to confront sexual abuse committed by clergy with truth, justice and accountability. Speaking to bishops in Peru, he said the Church must acknowledge the harm suffered by victims and take responsibility for making amends, rather than treating abuse as an issue that can be left unresolved.
The pope’s appeal places victims at the centre of the Church’s response. Making amends means addressing the consequences of abuse and recognising the need for justice, while truth requires the Church to face the reality of crimes committed by members of the clergy. His message also links accountability with the Church’s duty to protect people in the future.
Alongside responding to past abuse, Leo urged the Church to strengthen safeguards designed to prevent further sexual abuse. The call combines redress for victims with stronger protections, presenting both as necessary parts of the Church’s responsibility. For bishops and Church leaders, the message is that confronting abuse requires openness about what happened, justice for those harmed and practical measures to reduce the risk of future abuse.
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