Pope Francis prays for victims of abuse in his prayer intention for the month of March.
“In response to cases of abuse, especially those committed by members of the Church, it is not enough to ask for forgiveness,” said the pope.
He said victims must be the protagonists of a response to abuse, adding that “their pain and psychological wounds can begin to heal if they find answers – if there are concrete actions to repair the horrors they have suffered and to prevent them from happening again.”
Pope Francis said the Church cannot hide abuse, no matter where it occurs, but instead must serve as a model in its response to abuse.
He said the Church must also “offer safe spaces for victims to be heard, supported psychologically, and protected.”
