LISTEN: Pope to open summit on child sex abuse scandals

You are viewing content from Q Mid Antrim 107. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

Q Radio news

The Pope has summoned senior Bishops and church officials from around the world to the Vatican for a four day conference to tackle sex abuse. 

It's designed to teach religious leaders how to try and eliminate the problem, but critics say it's too little too late. 

The summit was called in September last year, after the sex abuse scandals cast shadows over Pope Francis' visit to Ireland in August.

He was also heavily critisised for not traveling North of the border to meet with victims of historic institutional abuse here. 

The Government is still considering compensation and redress schemes for those abused in church and state run institutions. 

However, survivors have hit out saying the recommendations of the long-awaited Hart Inquiry can't be implemented because of the political crisis at Stormont.

Yesterday in Rome survivors demanded to meet Pope Francis to press their call for the Church to apply a zero tolerance policy, including the dismissal of bishops who covered up such offences.

The 12 victims made their demand at a meeting with the five Vatican officials organising the summit.

It lasted for more than two hours and one survivor described it as "at times a little confrontational and heated".

Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin is attending the summit in Rome on behalf of church leaders in Ireland. 

 

He also says he'll share the story of our own past within the church, in a bid to inspire change elsewhere. 

Join the Thank Q Club

Sign up for the Thank Q Club and receive exclusive offers, fun competitions and amazing prizes - it's quick and easy to do!

Sign Up Log In

Listen on the go

Download the Q Radio app to keep listening, wherever you are! It's available on Apple and Android devices.

Download from the App Store Download from Google Play