The Pope responds to the scandals of sexual abuse in the Church: asks to "always welcome" the victims

Pope Francis has recognized, during his first homily on World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, that the “scandals” have “disfigured” the face of the Church and has asked “to always welcome and listen” to the victims of abuses.

This was indicated this Wednesday in his homily during Vespers with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, seminarians and pastoral agents, which took place at the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon.

The Pontiff has indicated that, at times, priests and religious can experience “fatigue” in the midst of a “secularized” world, with a “growing distance from the practice of the faith”, adding that this is accentuated by the ” anger” of some for the “bad testimony” of the Church and for the “scandals”.

“This is often accentuated by the disappointment and anger that some feel towards the Church, in some cases because of our bad witness and the scandals that have disfigured her face and that call for a humble and constant purification, starting from the cry of pain of the victims, who must always be welcomed and listened to”, stressed the Pontiff.