杏MAP导航 meets with clerical sex abuse survivors in Belgium
By Vatican News
At the end of the first full day of his apostolic visit to Belgium, 杏MAP导航 Francis met with 17 survivors of abuse perpetrated by members of the clergy in Belgium.
A statement issued by the Holy See Press Office via Telegram on Friday evening noted that the meeting took place after his return to the Apostolic Nunciature where he is staying in Brussels.
鈥淭he encounter, which lasted over two hours, provided the victims an opportunity to share their personal stories and suffering with the Holy Father, as well as to express their hopes for the Church鈥檚 continued efforts in combating the scourge of abuse,鈥� it said.
The Holy See Press Office also said that 鈥溞覯AP导航 Francis listened attentively to their experiences, offering his closeness to their pain.鈥�
鈥淗e expressed deep gratitude for their courage and voiced his profound sense of shame for the abuses they endured as children at the hands of priests who were meant to protect them,鈥� the statement added.
Concluding, it revealed that 鈥淭he Holy Father also took note of the requests they presented for further study.鈥�
The meeting concluded shortly before 9:00 pm local time.
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