One of the most severe critics of the Church’s handling of the clergy sex abuse scandal has briefed members of a pontifical commission.
Fr Thomas Doyle, OP, met four members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors last month.
The priest emphasised two main points: The need for real accountability on the part of bishops and the need for the Church to be far more committed than it is to the welfare of victims.
He told the panel that priests and bishops who have publicly supported victims “have been punished in some way by Church authorities”.
“Those who continue to minister to this issue in various ways remain under suspicion” and are “criticised, slandered and devalued” by other clerics and Church leaders, he said.
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