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Individuals who experienced sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have expressed renewed hope following their initial encounter with the new Pope at the Vatican.

The board president, heading Ending Clergy Abuse, commented that the pontiff's decision to meet with them so soon in his leadership sent a strong message about his dedication to addressing the problem.

Worldwide Strict Approach Advocated

The organization is advocating for a global strict approach that would defrock any clergy member who admits to or is found guilty of sexually abusing a child. This policy has already been adopted in the United States.

The Pontiff recognized that there is "resistance in some parts of the world" to this initiative, according to the representative.

"We were all being realistic when we recognized that there is resistance," they remarked.

Inherited Challenge

The new Pope, who took the position in spring, has taken on this longstanding problem that has plagued the Catholic Church for decades.

Earlier attempts to resolve the situation included an unprecedented meeting on paedophilia within the institution and changes to church laws to clearly outlaw abuse.

Deeply Felt Link

For the representative, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, the campaign for global implementation of the policy is deeply meaningful. The Canadian advocate revealed they were abused by a clergy member who was later moved between various churches.

"We trust this will set the tone for his leadership, because we want to work with him," Hickey expressed. "Both sides share the common objective, we seek to end clergy abuse."

Historic Encounter

Multiple members of the organization, which includes survivors and supporters from more than 30 countries, met with the Pope in his official residence.

The meeting, originally scheduled for a brief period, extended to a full hour, during which the religious leader "mostly listened to us," according to the representative.

The pontiff was described as "very understanding" when listening to the story of a female survivor victimized at a Catholic residential school for Indigenous children in Canada.

They added the Pope was "tender" about their own story and appeared "modest, humorous, and approachable."

"Survivors have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't perceive like he was giving us lip service," Hickey commented. "I believed like he was sincere, practical, and receptive and eager to collaborate with us."

Church Regulations Reforms

The organization is hoping that revisions to church regulations will facilitate the adoption of the strict approach globally.

They have consulted experts and gathered documents that they will present to the pontiff.

"He appeared engaged in reviewing it," Hickey remarked.

Responsibility Highlighted

A recent church-ordered document emphasized the "necessity of a streamlined protocol for the stepping down and/or dismissal of religious officials or staff in cases of misconduct or failure to act."

The document also pointed out that victims repeatedly stressed the "critical requirement for church leaders and senior officials to be made responsible for inaction and cover-up."

Path Ahead

Hickey shared they told the pontiff at the start of their discussion: "This represents as much a challenge for him to participate in a dialogue as it was for us."

After the meeting, they expressed optimism for progress.

"We realise it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the conclusion, coming together and building a relationship and continuing to strengthen that bond is a move in the correct path," Hickey commented.

They concluded that they shared with Pope Leo: "Just because it's a difficult period, I feel like we can alter how the story concludes - he valued that."