VATICAN CITY, 21 JUL 2008 (VIS) - Made public today were a communique and a note from Holy See Press Office Director Federico Lombardi S.J., concerning the Pope's meeting this morning with victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy.
"As an expression of his ongoing pastoral concern for those who have been abused by members of the clergy, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today celebrated Mass with a representative group of victims. He listened to their stories and offered them consolation. Assuring them of his spiritual closeness, he promised to continue to pray for them, their families and all victims. Through this paternal gesture, the Holy Father wished to demonstrate again his deep concern for all those who have suffered sexual abuse".
In a note accompanying the communique, Fr. Lombardi specifies that "the meeting took place at the celebration of Mass in the little chapel of Sydney's Cathedral House, where the Pope has been staying over these days. The celebration began at 7 a.m.
"Four people were present, two men and two women, with their attendants and a priest responsible for pastoral care and accompaniment.
"Concelebrating with the Holy Father were Cardinal George Pell, archbishop of Sydney, Archbishop Fernando Filoni, substitute of the Secretariat of State, and the Pope's two private secretaries.
"At the end of the Mass, the guests had the chance to speak individually to the Pope, who addressed to them affectionate words of concern and comfort.
"The meeting ended shortly before 8 a.m., everything took place in an atmosphere of respect, spirituality and intense emotion.
"As happened in the United States, the Pope wished to meet a number of victims as a concrete way of conveying sentiments he has previously expressed on various occasions concerning the drama of sexual abuse.
"In Australia, he wished to do so after the events of World Youth Day, because that was the specific reason for his trip".
OP/ABUSE VICTIMS/SYDNEY/LOMBARDI VIS 20080721 (330)
"As an expression of his ongoing pastoral concern for those who have been abused by members of the clergy, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today celebrated Mass with a representative group of victims. He listened to their stories and offered them consolation. Assuring them of his spiritual closeness, he promised to continue to pray for them, their families and all victims. Through this paternal gesture, the Holy Father wished to demonstrate again his deep concern for all those who have suffered sexual abuse".
In a note accompanying the communique, Fr. Lombardi specifies that "the meeting took place at the celebration of Mass in the little chapel of Sydney's Cathedral House, where the Pope has been staying over these days. The celebration began at 7 a.m.
"Four people were present, two men and two women, with their attendants and a priest responsible for pastoral care and accompaniment.
"Concelebrating with the Holy Father were Cardinal George Pell, archbishop of Sydney, Archbishop Fernando Filoni, substitute of the Secretariat of State, and the Pope's two private secretaries.
"At the end of the Mass, the guests had the chance to speak individually to the Pope, who addressed to them affectionate words of concern and comfort.
"The meeting ended shortly before 8 a.m., everything took place in an atmosphere of respect, spirituality and intense emotion.
"As happened in the United States, the Pope wished to meet a number of victims as a concrete way of conveying sentiments he has previously expressed on various occasions concerning the drama of sexual abuse.
"In Australia, he wished to do so after the events of World Youth Day, because that was the specific reason for his trip".
OP/ABUSE VICTIMS/SYDNEY/LOMBARDI VIS 20080721 (330)
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