Faced with reports on pedophilia involving priests published in several countries, the Catholic Church in Italy also “needs” an independent investigation, one of the Vatican’s main advisers on the matter said in an interview with AFP.
“Sexual violence against minors is a reality in all societies and regions of the world”, including in Italy, assured the Jesuit Hans Zollner, member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and director of the Institute of Anthropology for the Prevention of Abuse.
According to the German priest, who is one of Pope Francis’ closest advisers, “between 3% and 5% of priests around the world have been accused of abuse in the last 75 years.”
“We believe these figures can apply to Italy. More likely, there are priests who committed abuses and went on with their lives without any worries”, comments Zollner, speaking about the absence of an independent report on the phenomenon.
Despite having lost prestige in recent years, the Catholic Church maintains considerable influence in Italy, where 66% of the 61 million inhabitants declare themselves Catholic, according to a survey published in 2019.
“Some religious and secular leaders believe that the problem of sexual abuse of minors is limited to Central Europe or North America, but that is not the case”, Zollner points out.
The L’Abuso network, Italy’s main victims’ association, has identified in the last 15 years more than 300 priests involved or convicted among the 50,000 residing in the country.
However, it is impossible to obtain “precise figures” due to the lack of “an independent report”, as happened in France, with the revelations of the Jean-Marc Sauvé Commission, or in Germany, with the recently published document that even questions the pope emeritus. Benedict XVI for his handling of four cases of pedophilia when he was Archbishop of Munich.
– ‘Pandora’s box’ –
Zollner points out that, despite the fact that independent reports are multiplying all over the world, “Italian society still seems very closed to addressing this issue”. “No one is really interested in opening this ‘Pandora’s Box’ and facing the situation head on”, emphasizes the German priest.
Despite this, in recent months there have been “signs” of a change in mentality.
The influential Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, president of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), confirmed last Saturday (29) to the newspaper Corriere della Sera that “for some time now he has been thinking about opening a deep and serious investigation” into the phenomenon in Italy.
The CEI has made local cells available to receive complaints at the diocese level, but this response is considered insufficient by the victims, who want an independent commission and more speed.
“It is difficult to deny that there were abuses, although there are those who believe that, above all, it is an attack against the Church or that there is an exaggeration” about the phenomenon, says Zollner.
“Obviously, it is necessary to carry out investigations in all countries […] We must do everything possible so that victims have justice for what happened in the past and to prevent abuses in the present”, concludes Pope Francis’ adviser.
know more
+ SP: Man dies standing, leaning against car, and scene scares residents on the coast
+ One twin became vegan, the other ate meat. Check the result
+ Reincarnation in history: an age-old belief
+ Andressa Urach asks for money on the internet: ‘Help me pay my card bill’
+ Horoscope: check today’s forecast for your sign
+ CNH: see what you need to know for the application and renewal
+ See which were the most stolen cars in SP in 2021
+ Expedition identifies giant squid responsible for ship sinking in 2011
+ Everything you need to know before buying a crockpot
+ US Agency warns: never wash raw chicken meat
+ What is known about fluorone?
+ Trick to squeeze lemons becomes a craze on social media
+ IPVA 2022 SP: see how to consult and pay the tax
#Italian #church #investigate #pedophilia #clergy #Vatican #aide