Tough-talking pope to meet sex abuse victims

The Pope said that bishops found guilty of sexual abuse will not be spared.

13:41 27 May 2014

Pope Francis has announced his first meeting with a group of sex abuse victims at the Vatican and said he will show zero tolerance for anyone who abused children. He added that he was in favour of celibacy for priests but that “the door is always open” to change. He said: "It is a rule of life that I appreciate very much and I think it is a gift for the Church but since it is not a dogma, the door is always open." 

 

After giving confirmation that three bishops are now currently being investigated, he said: "Sexual abuse is such an ugly crime ... because a priest who does this betrays the body of the Lord. It is like a satanic Mass."

 

The Pontiff also announced that he will meet with around eight victims of sexual abuse next month at the Vatican. He confirmed visits to Sri Lanka and the Philippines in January 2015.