Survivors Demand Accountability as Papal Legacy Is Examined

Survivors of clerical abuse express skepticism over Pope Francis's efforts to tackle sexual exploitation within the Church. Amid ongoing papal transitions, they voice the need for comprehensive accountability and transparency from Church leaders.

As cardinals gather in Rome to elect a new pope, the legacy of Pope Francis remains a pressing concern, particularly regarding his approach to tackling child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Despite his efforts to address the issue more openly than his predecessors, many survivors of abuse question whether those actions went far enough.

One of those survivors, Alexa MacPherson, recounted her traumatic experience of abuse starting at the age of three by priest Peter Kanchong. She poignantly relayed how her father discovered the abuse when she was nine, which tragically illustrates a historical pattern of how the Church has navigated these grave allegations. Following her father's report to authorities in 1984, the power and influence of the Church in Boston played a significant role in shaping the legal proceedings that followed.

The Archbishop of Boston at the time, Bernard Law, viewed the allegations as potentially scandalous for the Church and sought to protect the clergy involved rather than prioritize justice for the victims. This long-standing culture of concealment extended well beyond the 1980s and persisted into the era of Pope Francis.

While many commend Francis for acknowledging victims and reforming aspects of the Church's internal processes, survivors and their advocates emphasize that these measures have not fully addressed the systemic issues. MacPherson noted her disappointment at Francis's record, stating, "There's so much more that the Church and the Vatican can do." She expressed frustration with the Church's ongoing secrecy regarding past misconduct and the lack of accountability for those responsible.

Francis made strides in 2019 by convening a summit involving bishops worldwide to confront the abuse crisis. However, critics argue that reforms, such as the limited disclosure laws around abuse accusations, fall short of the comprehensive transparency needed to make real change. Survivors remain skeptical, with MacPherson insisting on the need for the Church to fully reveal its knowledge of abusive priests and enable legal repercussions.

As the Church prepares for another pivotal moment in its leadership, MacPherson and other advocates show little optimism for significant reforms. “You cannot possibly move forward without acknowledging those sins,” she asserts, calling for true accountability from Church authorities. While Kanchong remains unpunished and the shadows of past abuse continue to loom, survivors like MacPherson advocate for enduring changes that will finally provide justice and healing for victims.