Italian Bishops Face Truth
Title: Boston cardinal tells Italian bishops ‘facing truth’ is only way to tackle abuse
ROME – As the Italian bishops’ conference debates this week how to best address the clerical sexual abuse crisis and the calls for a nationwide investigation, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, head of the papal commission for the protection of children, told them that the only way forward is with the truth.
Speaking from experience, as he has spent much of the past 40 years addressing the scandals, O’Malley said, “We have nothing to fear by telling the truth. The truth will set us free. Acknowledging people’s stories of abuse, listening to survivors and committing to working together is not easy,” but “it is the only way.”
“As you chart the way forward, the history of abuse in our church will come into the light more and more,” he said in a video message released Wednesday. “This has been a normal process in every country where we have seen this happen.”