“If there are no complaints, it is not because there has not been abuse, it is because the treatment we are going to receive is more painful than the abuse itself.” The testimony of a priest abused when he was a seminarian will be one of those that will be heard this Monday, at 7 p.m., on the esplanade of the Cathedral of La Almudena, within the Act of recognition and reparation for victims of Church abuse organized for the victims of clerical pedophilia, with the support of the cardinal of Madrid, José Cobo.
An act that aims to give prominence to survivors of abuse, and that, according to sources from the organization, is not intended to be “a point and apart”, but rather an encouragement to continue working “by and for the victims.”
“We do not want to turn the page,” is the label with which victims and associations have been invited to the event, which will last about 50 minutes, and will have three moments: a first space, of a non-denominational nature, on the portico of the Almudena Cathedral with testimonies of survivors; a second, inside the cathedral, with the words of Cobo and a song of forgiveness performed by the seminarians of Madrid; Finally, an olive tree will be planted on Bailén Street, at the exit of the esplanade.
Without credibility there are no steps forward
“If they do not give importance or credibility to our story, how are we going to take the difficult step of leaving anonymity, being full of fears, fears and shame?” will be heard in another testimony, selected among many by the Repara team. , the instrument of the diocese of Madrid to relate to the victims of pedophilia. The meeting was announced last June, and marks the second occasion (the first bishop was that of Bilbao, Joseba Segura) in which a diocese officially asks for forgiveness, and gives the floor, to the survivors of clerical pedophilia.
In some cases, in addition, victims and perpetrators could be present, so the readers of the testimonies will not necessarily be the protagonists. This happens, for example, in the case of a nun, who suffered abuse from her spiritual director.
“He was my confessor,” he says. “When I told him that the kiss he gave me made me feel confused, he told me that nothing had happened and that what was happening was that my mind was dirty and that, in reality, it was my desire that confused me. “I was having sex with him for ten years.”
As it is an act designed by and for the victims, they will occupy the main positions both on the esplanade and in the temple, although the presence of some state, regional or municipal authorities is not ruled out. Although no further details have been given, Cardinal Cobo is also expected to make a deep request for forgiveness, and assumption of responsibility, for the sins and crimes committed in the name of the Church by priests, religious and lay people against children, in the false name of God.
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