Pope Leo XIV told Spain’s Catholic bishops on Monday (8) that they must listen to victims of abuse committed by members of the clergy and offer them reparations. The statement was made in the first direct reference during his trip to the country to the scandals that have shaken the credibility of the local Church.
Leo told clergy that abuse survivors should see a “firm commitment” from the Church to strengthen protective measures and create a safe culture for children and vulnerable people.
“One of the most painful encounters is with those who have been hurt by precisely those who should care for them, including members of the clergy,” said the first American pope.
A 2023 report from Spain’s Human Rights Ombudsman estimated that there were, echoing global scandals that have shaken the Church’s moral authority and cost hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation.
The pontiff is holding a , his first to a European Union country outside Italy. The Vatican said the pope would meet a group of victims during his visit, but has not yet released further details.
Some prominent abuse survivor groups in Spain said they had not been invited to any papal meetings and called the event an insufficient photo opportunity.
Juan Cuatrecasas, president of the “Stolen Childhood” group, said the survivors who met with the pope do not represent all of the Church’s victims.
“They are being used by the Church, by the Episcopal Conference, to clean up the image of the Spanish Church,” he told reporters.
Survivors call for more action from the Church
While Leo XIV’s predecessor, Francis, took steps during his 12-year papacy to address , survivor groups have called for stricter accountability measures and a global zero-tolerance policy for clergy accused of misconduct.
The organization “Stolen Childhood” and other Spanish groups demanded concrete measures, including lifelong psychological support, fair compensation for victims and support for education and employment.
Last week, Madrid Cardinal José Cobo said it was simply not feasible for the pope to meet with several groups of survivors during his trip to Spain, given the pontiff’s busy schedule.
“This does not mean that these realities do not interest the pope, it simply means that his time is limited,” Cobo said.
Spanish activist Miguel Hurtado, who said he was abused as a teenager at Montserrat Abbey, on the outskirts of Barcelona, criticized the fact that the pope’s agenda did not include a meeting with survivors of abuse at that abbey.
Leo will visit Montserrat, which was included in the 2023 ombudsman’s report, on Wednesday and have lunch with local Benedictine monks.
“At the very least… remember the victims,” Hurtado told reporters. “Publicly commit to cleansing the Church of abusers and those who cover them up.”
The ombudsman’s report identified 15 victims and three alleged perpetrators linked to the abbey.
