Stories of suffering make people sad

Hans Zollner © Francesco Pistilli (CBA)

Vatican abuse prevention expert Hans Zollner has addressed victims of sexual abuse in Britain in a letter. The background is allegations by a commission into child abuse against the Catholic Church.

As reported by the magazine "The Tablet", the religious man expressed his concern about their stories of suffering. In addition, the Jesuit acknowledged that there is still work to be done in terms of protection and prevention. "Voices like yours" must be at the heart of this process, Zollner is quoted as saying. Otherwise, "real change" would be impossible to achieve.

Reproach to Catholic Church

The background to the letter is a report published in November by the Independent Government Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse in England and Wales (IICSA). In it, the Catholic Church is accused of "not having addressed the ie of sexual abuse for decades, leaving so many more children to this very fate".

One wants to remain in contact

Subsequently, a group of victims contacted Zollner to voice their concerns to the member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Children. Although the expert did not respond to calls for the resignation of Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, it said. He had, however, promised to remain in contact with the group.