Mass at papal residence for abuse victims

AN HISTORIC meeting between Pope Francis and victims of ­clerical abuse, including some from the UK, is to be held in the coming months. Francis this week made his strongest statement yet on sexual abuse, saying the Church must have “zero tolerance”.

During an in-flight press conference as he returned from his three-day visit to the Holy Land, Francis revealed that three ­bishops are currently under ­investigation in connection with sexual abuse. He described abuse at the hands of church personnel, including priests, as a “grave crime” comparable to celebrating “a black Mass” in a satanic ritual.

Francis said that he will “very soon” celebrate a Mass for a small group of abuse survivors, followed by a meeting at the Domus Sanctae Marthae where he lives. The victims will be from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany, he said. Benedict XVI held several meetings with abuse victims, but this is a first for Francis.

Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said: “[The meeting] will take place in the next few months. The Holy Father has decided that it will happen but there is no date in the diary yet.”

The announcement was made as the Vatican came under fire from the United Nations for its handling of cases of sexual abuse. Last week, the UN Committee against Torture said that the Holy See had neglected to make sure offenders were reported to police, and transferred clergy to help them avoid punishment.

Answering a question on the possibility of married priests, Pope Francis noted that celibacy is not a dogma and that the Eastern-rite Churches in communion with Rome ordain married men as priests. But he said he appreciated celibacy a great deal and believed it was a gift for the Church.

He also confirmed that as well as travelling to South Korea in August, he is to visit Sri Lanka and the Philippines next January.