Archbishop Polak Catholic leaders from Eastern Europe pledged closer cooperation against sexual abuse by clergy, despite different levels of preparedness, at the region’s first international child protection conference.
A statement from the September 19-22 conference said lectures and group sessions had covered “spiritual, theological, legal and pastoral aspects of the crisis”, adding that key themes would be taken to the Synod of Bishops opening October 9 in Rome.
At the end of the conference, Archbishop Wojciech Polak of Gniezno, Poland, questioned the motive behind some in the Church.
“The crisis caused by sexual abuse of minors and neglect by Church superiors touches the essence of our Church community; these terrible crimes and neglect have robbed many of their faith and blurred the image of God,” said Archbishop Polak.