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Sisters and Brothers,
Yesterday the (French) Bishops' Conference and the Conference of French men and women religious received the Independent Commission's Report on sexual abuse within the Church. The aim was to gauge the scope of the phenomenon of aggression and sexual violence committed against minors since 1950.
The numbers, unfortunately, are considerable. I would like to express to the victims my sadness and pain for the trauma they have suffered. And also my shame, our shame, my shame for the Church's inability, for too long, to make them a primary concern. I assure them of my prayers.
I pray and we all pray together: To you, Lord, glory. To us, shame. This is the moment of shame. I encourage bishops and you, dear brothers and sisters, who have come here to share this moment...
I encourage bishops, superiors and religious to continue to put forth every effort to prevent such dramas from repeating themselves.
I express to the priests of France my closeness and paternal support in front of this difficult but healthy trial, and I invite French Catholics to take responsibility to guarantee that the Church is a safe home for everyone. Thank you.
