Pope Francis on Sunday reportedly called for an “all-out-battle” against sexual abuse committed by members of the clergy as he concluded a landmark conference on the subject.
Francis called the crime one that should be “erased from the face of the earth” and vowed to strengthen guidelines used by national bishops conferences to prevent abuse and punish perpetrators, according to Reuters.
{mosads}Francis made the comments as he spoke to about 200 top Church leaders at Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, the news service noted. He said that the Roman Catholic Church would not cover up or underestimate abuse inside the church.
“We are thus facing a universal problem, tragically present almost everywhere and affecting everyone. Yet we need to be clear, that while gravely affecting our societies as a whole, this evil is in no way less monstrous when it takes place within the Church,” he said.
Reuters noted, however, that advocates for victims were disappointed with Francis’s remarks on Sunday. Anne Barrett-Doyle of the U.S.-based clergy abuse tracking group bishopaccountability.org told the news service that Francis didn’t sufficiently address the issue.
“As the world’s Catholics cry out for concrete change, the Pope instead provides tepid promises, all of which we’ve heard before,” she said in a statement.
The Vatican reportedly said after the conference that it would produce follow-up measures to ensure bishops around the world can enforce proper anti-abuse procedures.
Francis last week offered a 21-point plan to combat sexual abuse by members of the clergy, including new procedures to investigate accusations and protect victims.
Allegations of rampant sexual abuse in the clergy have surfaced for many years. The controversy appeared to gain renewed attention after bombshell reports accused hundreds of priests of abuse in states such as Pennsylvania.