Pope Leo XIV to Meet with French Abuse Survivors Amid Criticism for Church’s Response to Crisis

Pope Leo XIV is set to meet with seven survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy during his visit to France, a visit that begins Friday and spans four days. The meeting is scheduled for Sunday in Lourdes, a significant pilgrimage site for Catholics. This meeting is under close scrutiny by critics who argue that the church has not adequately addressed the issue of abuse.

The decision to meet with individual survivors rather than representatives from established organizations has drawn criticism from some survivors’ groups. The seven survivors have emphasized that their participation is personal and does not equate to endorsing the church’s actions. They have stated, “Engaging in dialogue does not mean endorsing,” and “Being received does not mean abandoning our demands.”

The French Bishops’ Conference has clarified that the group includes individuals who were abused as minors or adults in various Catholic settings, including schools, parishes, and religious congregations. In recent years, the French Catholic Church has implemented an independent compensation system for survivors and acknowledged its history of abuse. A 2021 report estimated that 330,000 children in France were sexually abused over seven decades by clergy and church workers.

Among the survivors is a participant who was abused at the private Catholic school Notre-Dame de Bétharram, where allegations have persisted for over five decades. Another survivor was abused by Bernard Preynat, a priest who admitted to sexually abusing at least 75 boys and was sentenced to five years in prison in 2020. Additionally, one participant has accused Abbé Pierre, a revered priest and humanitarian, of sexual assault.

Critics, including Charles Mercier, a professor of history and sociology of Catholicism, have expressed concerns about the selection process for the meeting, noting that the group was chosen by bishops rather than the victims themselves. This has led to feelings among some advocates that survivors are not adequately recognized by the church. Following a 2021 reckoning over the extent of abuse, there is a perception that church leaders are attempting to move past the crisis without fully addressing the demands of survivors. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, the call for justice and mercy remains paramount in addressing such profound human and moral issues.

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