Respond to the tragedy of child abuse in a Christ-like manner: Pope

February 07, 2012: An International Symposium "Towards the healing and renewal," started at the Gregorian University in Rome on Monday. The four-day symposium, 6 to 9 February, brought together Bishops and Religious Superiors from all over the world to revive the Church's commitment to protecting children and vulnerable persons from sexual abuse. The Symposium was opened by the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal William Joseph Levada.
Pope Benedict XVI in his message to the participants of the symposium said that through their deliberations, many bishops and religious superiors throughout the world may be helped to respond in a truly Christ-like manner to the tragedy of child abuse.
Pope’s message sent by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone aslo said that the Pope has often observed, healing for victims must be of paramount concern in the Christian community, and it must go hand in hand with a profound renewal of the Church at every level.
The Pontiff supports and encourages every effort to respond with evangelical charity to the challenge of providing children and vulnerable adults with an ecclesial environment conducive to their human and spiritual growth. He urges the participants in the Symposium to continue drawing on a wide range of expertise in order to promote throughout the Church a vigorous culture of effective safeguarding and victim support, the message said.