The conference presented the number of sexual abuse cases reported to the Church’s hotline since 2011. Archbishop of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Hollerich said that first and foremost, he wanted to apologise to all the victims “from the bottom of his heart.”
There were 24 cases of sexual abuse reported in the last eight years during which the hotline was active. The majority of cases concerned boys or young men who experienced assault between 1950 and 1979. 21 of those victims were minors, with eleven being under the age of eleven.
In fifteen cases, the Church recognised the victims’ suffering and paid €5,000 in damages.
The archbishop reported the same findings at the Vatican anti-sexual abuse summit last weekend, where representatives from 190 different countries came to the Vatican to discuss the topic. Archbishop Hollerich explained the importance of Pope Francis stating that such crimes are intolerable.
As a result, Hollerich believes the summit was a success, despite international criticism. He stressed that no longer could anybody claim ignorance to such awful occurrences.
The archbishop did deplore the fact that the summit did not have any delegates representing victims’ associations. However, he said that he himself spoke to many victims and heard their moving testimonies.
Finally, Hollerich reiterated that he would be ready to meet victims at any time.
