Vatican City, Apr 9, 2010 / 11:03 am
How can we "stay the course" after Holy Week in regard to sexual abuses? Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi asked in a statement released by Vatican Radio on Friday. In answer, he said, "Before all else (by) continuing to seek truth and peace for the victims."
As cases of sexual abuse continue to come to light, Fr. Lombardi noted that victims often have "interior wounds" that affect them on “a profound personal level," and that they should be provided with assistance in healing these wounds.
He saluted all episcopates that have offered ways for victims to be heard and to freely express themselves, "without taking for granted that the problem had already been confronted or overcome."
Fr. Lombardi also highlighted bishops' conferences and individual priests who have given "spiritual, liturgical and human attention" to victims with paternal care.
The Pope, he added, citing the letter to Irish Catholics, has also expressed his desire to offer similar help by meeting with victims. It is a path, said Lombardi, that in order to achieve "profound effects" must be developed still further with a focus on respect for the persons involved and the search for peace.