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Individuals who experienced sexual abuse by church officials have voiced fresh optimism following their initial meeting with the new Pope at the Vatican.

Gemma Hickey, who leads Ending Clergy Abuse, stated that the Pope's choice to engage with them so early in his papacy sent a strong message about his dedication to addressing the issue.

Worldwide Strict Approach Advocated

The organization is advocating for a worldwide zero-tolerance policy that would permanently remove any clergy member who confesses to or is proven of sexually abusing a minor. This approach has already been adopted in the US.

The Pontiff acknowledged that there is "resistance in some parts of the world" to this initiative, according to Hickey.

"We were all being realistic when we acknowledged that there is pushback," Hickey remarked.

Inherited Issue

The current pontiff, who assumed the role in May, has taken on this longstanding problem that has haunted the Church for many years.

Earlier attempts to resolve the problem included an historic meeting on child abuse within the institution and revisions to church laws to explicitly criminalize abuse.

Personal Connection

For the representative, who uses they/them pronouns, the drive for worldwide adoption of the measure is deeply meaningful. The Canadian advocate shared they were victimized by a clergy member who was subsequently moved between various churches.

"Hopefully this will set the tone for his papacy, because we aim to work with him," they expressed. "Both sides share the same goal, we seek to eliminate clergy abuse."

Significant Meeting

Seven members of the organization, which represents victims and advocates from over thirty nations, met with the Pope in his Vatican office.

The discussion, originally scheduled for a brief period, lasted to a sixty minutes, during which the Pope "primarily heard to us," according to the representative.

The Pope was described as "very understanding" when hearing the story of a female survivor abused at a Catholic residential school for native youth in North America.

Hickey noted the leader was "tender" about their own experience and seemed "modest, humorous, and approachable."

"Survivors have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't perceive like he was making empty promises," they commented. "I believed like he was sincere, practical, and receptive and keen to work with us."

Canon Law Reforms

The group is hoping that revisions to canon law will enable the implementation of the zero-tolerance policy worldwide.

They have consulted experts and gathered materials that they will present to Pope Leo.

"He appeared engaged in reviewing it," Hickey remarked.

Accountability Highlighted

A recent church-ordered document emphasized the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the resignation and/or removal of Church leaders or personnel in cases of abuse or negligence."

The report also noted that survivors consistently emphasized the "critical requirement for church leaders and major superiors to be held accountable for negligence and cover-up."

Path Ahead

The representative shared they informed the Pope at the start of their discussion: "This represents as much a challenge for him to participate in a dialogue as it was for us."

After the meeting, they voiced optimism for progress.

"We realise it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the conclusion, uniting and establishing a connection and continuing to build that relationship is a step in the right direction," Hickey commented.

They added that they told with Pope Leo: "Even though it's a dark chapter, I feel like we can change how the story ends - he valued that."