She notes, "with immense sadness, the vast scale of abuse against children by clergy in the French Catholic Church since 1950, which was revealed by an independent inquiry in France.

"It is deeply unsettling to hear, yet again, that so many young people were victims of people in positions of power over them, including spiritual power.

"We are concerned that institutions that are trusted to care for the vulnerable have caused them so much physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual harm by abusing their immense power.

"This is an issue that is very relevant in Aotearoa New Zealand too.

"Our Royal Commission is currently investigating the abuse and neglect of children and others in the care of the Catholic Church and other faith-based institutions."

Pope Francis expressed sadness and shame on Wednesday in response to a report estimating that 216,00 of children were abused by Catholic clergy and laypeople in France over the past 70 years.

Reports estimate between 2,900 and 3,200 people committed the abuse. While the majority of abuse was carried out by Catholic Clergy, one-third of the abuse was conducted by laypeople.

22 cases of alleged crimes have been forwarded to prosecutors and more than 40 cases have been forwarded to Church officials because the alleged offences are too old to prosecute.

Sources:

• Voxy
• APNews
• America

This is the latest push to give women a significant place in the Catholic hierarchy.

After submitting their candidacies for various leadership roles, including deacon, priest and bishop, the women attended a mass at the Madeleine church in central Paris to mark the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene.

French Catholic woman Anne Soupa, who in May declared herself a candidate to lead the archdiocese of Lyon, accompanied the seven women to Paris.

The post in Lyon has been vacant since Cardinal Philippe Barbarin stepped down last year as a result of a paedophilia scandal involving a priest in the diocese.

"The Church is experiencing a deep crisis, and we need to open up its doors," says Soupa.

"Women are rendered invisible in the Catholic Church."

"In this age of equality, when women's abilities are recognised by all, we can't continue like this."

"This isn't a move against the Church, but for it," Soupa says.

Scores of paedophilia and sexual abuse charges have been laid before the Church throughout the world in recent years.

These charges have prompted calls for a major shakeup of the Church, which critics say has failed to adapt its traditions to the demands of the modern world.

Although Pope Francis backs many progressive causes such as allowing priests to marry, to date he has refused to allow women to be ordained or to open certain roles in the Church for them.

As an example, last year he declined to allow women become deacons, an ordained position just below that of priest. Proponents say allowing women to become deacons could help fill the gap in countries were priest numbers are dwindling.

Source

• rfi
• Image: France 24