Information Note No. 2 of Chapter 2020 January 25-30

January 30, 2020

The previous information note mentioned the unanimous resolution of the capitular fathers regarding the need to dedicate all necessary time to deepen into “the accounts and experiences of the victims, as well as the Report 1941-2019 recently published.” The chapter has concretized this decision in various ways.

First, the members of the Past Cases Commission presented their report to the capitular fathers: the work carried out, the method used, the description of the phenomenon, and the various responses to sexual abuse throughout the congregation’s history.

Next, the capitular fathers dedicated reflection time to a series of learnings and recommendations offered by the same commission.

On Tuesday the 28th, the capitular fathers had a study day with the opportunity to hear the testimony of two victims of sexual abuse, one of whom specializes in restorative justice and Dr. Esmeralda Garrido, an expert in child psychology. Both testimonies helped raise awareness of the depth of the wounds and damages inflicted on a person who was a victim of sexual abuse. They also shared possible responses, both personal and institutional, that can contribute to healing.

For his part, Fr. Hans Zollner, S.J., secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and president of the Centre for Child Protection at the Pontifical Gregorian University, offered via videoconference an intervention on the pastoral urgency of reaching out to victims as an essential part of our ministry in today’s Church.

All of this, accompanied by reflection groups and prayer, is leading to the recognition that, in addition to addressing past cases and responsibilities to do justice to the victims, it is about changing a mentality, modes of proceeding, and institutional culture that have made such pain possible.

On Wednesday the 29th in the afternoon, Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil, L.C., was invited to the General Assembly of the Laity of Regnum Christi, and the other capitular fathers dedicated this time to personal study, a presentation of some topics from the congregation’s history, and work by commissions.

 

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