Having been appointed to the papal commission on child protection, I can confirm that Emiliano Fittipaldi is broadly correct that the pope has done little on child abuse. I might argue that Francis has done more than his predecessor, but it still is not enough. I made the same point publicly last year. Damian Thompson recently wrote in the Spectator of the pope reversing a defrocking of “an Italian priest with a passion for expensive cars and underage boys”, who has since been jailed by the civil courts . As long as such outrages continue, it is hard to take the pope’s commitment seriously.
The commission certainly doesn’t like criticism, as we see from my friend Baroness Sheila Hollins’ protestations (Letters, 18 January). Speaking truth unto power led to me being unilaterally disinvited from future meetings, leaving just one rather lone female survivor/victim voice on the commission. Fittipaldi’s assertion that the “church continues to protect the privacy of the paedophiles/abusers and also the cardinals [who protect them]” is deeply worrying, but justified. The records have to be sent to the Vatican where they continue to be kept safely away from prying secular justice.
Peter Saunders
Founder, National Association for People Abused in Childhood
• Sheila Hollins describes a pope who has no formal authority over the bishops and “would not normally interfere with the role of the local hierarchy”. I do not believe this description of the power of the pope. Regardless of the fine points of church administration, however, the pope is not taking a clear and powerful stance against child abuse.
A clear stance would incorporate full cooperation on issues fully under his control: acknowledgement of the illegality of paedophile acts and of the authority of law enforcement on all these matters (as opposed to internal administrative processes); full cooperation with law enforcement agencies by sharing data on all cases known to the papal administration; holding people in his own administration accountable and supporting investigations against them; if homosexuality is a “sin”, then surely paedophilia can be clearly and openly declared a sin too, by papal decree (or whatever it is the pope issues on defining the “true faith”).
In the absence of clear and determined action by the pope, we have to conclude he is but a lukewarm supporter of the vulnerable children under the care of his church. It is the moment to realise the emperor has no clothes. Let’s measure reality by actions and facts.
Bruno Nagel
Sydney, Australia
• The UN committee on the rights of the child made 67 recommendations to the Holy See, including “44(b) Immediately remove all known and suspected child sexual abusers from assignment and refer the matter to the relevant law enforcement authorities for investigation and prosecution purposes; “44(c) Ensure a transparent sharing of all archives which can be used to hold the abusers accountable as well as all those who concealed their crimes and knowingly placed offenders in contact with children.”
That was in 2014 when Francis was pope. The papacy completely ignored this advice and set up a powerless commission and a tribunal that has not punished anyone. It is difficult to conclude other than that they have no interest in or intention of bringing errant priests and those who shielded them to justice. Ms Hollins is defending the indefensible.
Dorothy Smith
Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
• Roman Catholic-Protestant reconciliation is surely welcome (C of E urges Christians to repent for killings and destruction unleashed by Reformation, 18 January). However, I think this year’s 500th Lutheran anniversary should be marked far more by reconciliation among Jews and Christians – and repentance on the part of the latter. Despite his achievements, Martin Luther left a legacy of horrific anti-Judaism, even worse than that of such “saints” as Jerome and John Chrysostom, Augustine and Ambrose.
The later Luther called for the burning of Jewish synagogues and schools, the destruction of Jewish homes, the confiscation of their prayer books and sacred writings, and the seizing of their valuables, and commended the countries that had expelled them. In Germany he sowed evil seeds that eventually brought forth the monstrous deeds of the Nazis who happily quoted his writings. Although some Lutheran churches have repudiated these views of Luther, far too many Christians are unaware of them.
Rev Dr John Bunyan
Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
• Repenting is the easy bit. There is a far more serious problem at the heart of many religions, including Christianity. They make truth claims that are absolute – guaranteed by Almighty God. Unfortunately some of these “truths” contradict each other and there is no rational decision procedure for settling the matter. Hence the slide towards conflict and persecution. Look not just at history but at our present sad world.
Dr Trevor Hussey
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
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