Vatican City, Oct 8, 2018 / 07:30 am
Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna of Malta said that while the youth synod is not ignoring the sexual abuse crisis, Catholics looking for thorough answers should wait for a February 2019 meeting of bishops.
He also commented on the effectiveness of Pope Francis' voice on the abuse issue, saying to those losing trust in the pontiff's handling of abuse cases: "Give him time."
Scicluna told journalists Oct. 8 that while the synod fathers will address the fact that young people have been affected by clergy sexual abuse, "the synod is about so many other aspects of the life of young people."
The question of sexual abuse "should be considered, but I don't see any answers to these important questions from this synod," he said, instead pointing to a meeting Pope Francis called with the presidents of the world's bishops' conferences at which the question will be discussed at length.