In a letter sent to the presidents of bishops’ conferences worldwide, organisers said the church must develop a “comprehensive and communal response” to the crisis, and that the first step is “acknowledging the truth of what has happened”.
Pope Francis invited church leaders to the February 21-24 summit to respond to what has become the gravest threat to his papacy, as the sex abuse and cover-up scandal erupted in the US, Chile and elsewhere this year.
In revealing the first details of preparations for the meeting, the Vatican said the summit would focus on three main areas: responsibility, accountability and transparency.
“Absent a comprehensive and communal response, not only will we fail to bring healing to victim survivors, but the very credibility of the church to carry on the mission of Christ will be in jeopardy throughout the world,” the organisers wrote.
“Each of us needs to own this challenge, coming together in solidarity, humility and penitence to repair the damage done, sharing a common commitment to transparency and holding everyone in the church accountable,” they said.
It was signed by the four members of the preparatory committee for the meeting: Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, Mumbai Cardinal Oswald Gracias and the Vatican’s leading abuse experts, Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna and the Rev Hans Zollner.
They urged conference presidents to meet…
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