Dear readers, you may have read or heard in these days of the project promoted by Bishop of Bolzano-Bressanone Ivo Moerwhich led to the creation of a Report on sexual abuse committed in its diocese.
Presented on January 20, the report entrusted to an independent commission led to the Lucand 75 cases of sexual abuse perpetrated by priests (41 accused, 29 of these with a high degree of certainty). It is the First investigation in Italy of this type.
The bishop undertaken to improve and implement all the measures and initiatives already existing in this regard, also taking on the responsibility of the shortcomings of the Diocesan Church in this regard.
It should be acknowledged to the bishop of having embarked on with courage – The project has the name “The courage to watch” – A path that always proves to be painful. He himself explained that he had decided to open the archive after receiving reports of cases, so that you could shed light on the truth and undertake the necessary steps to identify the responsibilities and avoid more evil.
This is the first point from which each path must start: listening to the victims. In the last two decadesThe many things went by changing, thanks to the fight against the abuses started by Benedict XVI and continued vigorously by Francesco. The previous one “coverage” policy and the abandonment little by little has been unloaded. And the example was given by not saving any ecclesiastical personality of summit (See the case of Cardinal McCarrick).
Certainly the theme of abuse is A topic that will continue to discuss. It is advisable to reflect on how we set ourselves compared to the theme. It is a question of justice (very different from justice), what does it mean: listening to the victims, search for truth and transparency and undertake the necessary steps To ensure the culprits for justice. Reading or listening to the testimonies of the survivors is simply shocking.
Also at the level of the Episcopal conference there is the clear will to protect minors and to guarantee “Safe” asked: there are guidelines since 2019, lines of action since 2022 and a pilot study is underway on the abuses committed by clerics in Italy in the period 2001-2021, entrusted to Two independent bodies.
In the meantime, The dioceses went out with a territorial listening and support network for the victims. A tool that, must be said, is missing in civil society. Of course, the mentality does not change by decision from above. But the road is marked: it is the only one to be still credible.
“Trust can only be restored through transparency and honesty”declared Muser. Opening your eyes on a reality like that of the abuse is painful and, for believers, can get to shake the faith, as well as trust in the Church. The faults of “few” touch the people of God, pouring mud on everything. You can put yourself on the defensive by denying the evidence (it has even happened to family members of abused people), or you can become ruthless “accusers” that make every grass a bundle. I think it will be a healthy process of purification of faith if we accept deal with the truth, As the diocese of Bolzano did.
Purification is painful but beneficial. It will make us humble. We will teach us the need for discernment, in order not to become wary or cynical. And he will push us to deal with the mystery of wheat and weeds that find themselves together in the Church.
(Image at the top: photo Istock)
