Pope Leo Urges Global Bishops to Confront Clerical Abuse

Pope Leo XIV has instructed approximately 200 newly appointed Catholic bishops worldwide to address allegations of sexual abuse promptly and transparently, emphasizing justice for both victims and the accused. He urged bishops not to hide or ignore these allegations, stating they "cannot be put in a drawer" and must be handled with mercy and true justice. This directive continues the efforts of his predecessor, Pope Francis, to confront sexual abuse within the Church, although past reforms have met with mixed results. Beyond abuse issues, Pope Leo encouraged bishops to foster a welcoming Church engaged with contemporary societal questions, cautioning against relying on outdated seminary teachings. However, advocacy groups like SNAP have criticized Pope Leo for a lack of accountability and enforcement, pointing to ongoing cover-ups and failures to implement binding reforms. Until such reforms are enacted, some view the pope's instructions as insufficient and primarily symbolic.