Pope Apologizes for Recent Comments on 'Sexual Abuse in the Church'

Pope Francis made an unprecedented 'self-criticism' on Sunday, apologizing to victims of sexual abuse in the church and acknowledging that his comments defending a Chilean bishop under investigation had 'hurt many feelings.' However, while the Pope apologized for his choice of words and tone in response to a question from a Chilean journalist, he emphasized that Bishop Juan Barros is innocent. According to Reuters, Pope Francis, during his flight back to Rome, expressed regret in what has been described as a rare admission, telling reporters: 'I must apologize. Because I have come to realize that my words have hurt the feelings of many who have been abused.' He added: 'If I have hurt their feelings without realizing it, I apologize. This is a wound that I truly did not want to inflict on anyone, and for that, I feel deep remorse.' In the latest chapter of this saga, Pope Francis stated that since no evidence has been found against Bishop Juan Barros, who has been accused of supporting priests accused of sexually abusing children, he will remain in his position. On Thursday, at the end of a religious ceremony in Chile, a journalist managed to approach the Pope and asked him about Bishop Juan Barros. The Pope, however, responded sharply, saying: 'The day I see evidence against Bishop Barros, I will speak. There is no evidence against him.' The Pope's comments were interpreted as questioning the claims of those who have accused the church and its priests. This statement was met with strong criticism from victims of sexual abuse in the church, advocacy groups, and even the press in Chile and Argentina, the Pope's homeland. On Sunday, Cardinal Sean O'Malley from Boston, one of the Pope's key advisors, issued a statement saying that the Pope's words had caused 'great pain.' Reuters further noted that Pope Francis, in another part of his remarks on Sunday, said: 'I know that they (the victims of sexual abuse) are deeply hurt when they hear the Pope say, 'Bring me letters and documents.' I realized that these words were like slapping them in the face, and I have understood that my manner of expression was incorrect.' Bishop Juan Barros is accused of defending his former mentor, Father Fernando Karadima, who was found guilty of sexually abusing teenage boys in a Vatican investigation in 2011. Fernando Karadima has denied these allegations, and Bishop Barros claims he was unaware of such sins occurring. Meanwhile, Juan Carlos Cruz from Chile claims that Bishop Barros was personally aware of Karadima's sexual abuse against him. Pope Francis stated in his remarks on the plane that Bishop Barros had offered to resign twice in recent years, but each time he opposed it. The Pope added: 'I cannot condemn him because I have no evidence, and I am completely sure he is innocent.' He noted that Bishop Barros will remain in his position unless evidence against him is found. Advocacy groups for victims of sexual abuse and assault in the church have criticized the Pope's actions in this regard. Reuters reminded that despite the Pope's repeated declarations that he would decisively address this issue, his actions have not yielded significant results. The Vatican's plan to establish an investigative committee and tribunal to examine cases of bishops accused of covering up sexual abuse has never been implemented, and a research and advisory commission headed by Cardinal Sean O'Malley has effectively reached an impasse after the resignation of its non-clerical members, who were themselves victims of sexual abuse.