In a homily delivered Thursday in Quebec City, Pope Francis addressed for the first time since his arrival in Canada the sexual abuse scandals that have rocked the Roman Catholic Church. Here is an excerpt of his address to Canadian bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians and pastoral workers at the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec:
In order to proclaim the Gospel, however, we must also be credible. Here is the second challenge: witness.
The Gospel is preached effectively when life itself speaks and reveals the freedom that sets others free, the compassion that asks for nothing in return, the mercy that silently speaks of Christ.
The Church in Canada has set out on a new path, after being hurt and devastated by the evil perpetrated by some of its sons and daughters. I think in particular of the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable people, crimes that require firm action and an irreversible commitment.
Together with you, I would like once more to ask forgiveness of all the victims. The pain and the shame we feel must become an occasion for conversion: never again!
And thinking about the process of healing and reconciliation with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, never again can the Christian community allow itself to be infected by the idea that one culture is superior to others, or that it is legitimate to employ ways of coercing others.
Let us recover the zeal of your first bishop, Saint François de Laval, who railed against those who demeaned the Indigenous people by inducing them to imbibe strong drink in order then to cheat them. Let us not allow any ideology to alienate or mislead the customs and ways of life of our peoples, as a means of subduing them or controlling them.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July. 28, 2022.
The Canadian Press
