"He Was Moved By What They Had to Say"

Just before 5pm London time, the following release hit the wires:

PRESS RELEASE OF THE HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE
FOLLOWING THE MEETING OF THE HOLY FATHER WITH VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE BY MEMBERS OF CLERGY

On Saturday 18 September 2010, in the Apostolic Nunciature in London, the Holy Father met a group of persons who had been sexually abused by members of the clergy.

He was moved by what they had to say and expressed his deep sorrow and shame over what victims and their families had suffered. He prayed with them and assured them that the Catholic Church is continuing to implement effective measures designed to safeguard young people, and that it is doing all in its power to investigate allegations, to collaborate with civil authorities and to bring to justice clergy and religious accused of these egregious crimes.

As he has done on other occasions, he prayed that all the victims of abuse might experience healing and reconciliation, and be able to overcome their past and present distress with serenity and hope for the future.

Following this meeting, the Holy Father will address a group of professionals and volunteers dedicated to the safeguarding of children and young people in church environments.

According to the BBC, the pontiff met with five survivors, spending some 30 to 40 minutes with the group -- as one organizer noted, "more [time] than the Prime Minister got."

As previously noted, today's meeting is Benedict XVI's fourth such encounter with victim-survivors, following similar sessions in Washington and Sydney in 2008 and on Malta earlier this year.

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