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Individuals who endured sexual abuse by church officials have voiced renewed hope after their initial encounter with Pope Leo at the Vatican.

The board president, heading Ending Clergy Abuse, stated that the pontiff's decision to meet with them so early in his papacy spoke volumes about his commitment to addressing the problem.

Global Strict Policy Pushed

The group is pushing for a global strict approach that would permanently remove any clergy member who admits to or is proven of abusing a child. This policy has been implemented in the US.

The Pope acknowledged that there is "opposition in certain regions of the globe" to this proposal, according to the representative.

"Everyone was practical when we recognized that there is resistance," Hickey stated.

Legacy Issue

The current pontiff, who took the role in spring, has inherited this persistent problem that has haunted the Church for many years.

Previous efforts to resolve the situation included an historic summit on paedophilia within the Church and changes to canon law to clearly outlaw abuse.

Personal Connection

For the representative, who prefers they/them pronouns, the drive for global implementation of the measure is deeply meaningful. The North American activist shared they were abused by a priest who was subsequently moved between various churches.

"We trust this will set the tone for his papacy, because we want to collaborate with him," they expressed. "We have the common objective, we seek to end abuse by religious officials."

Significant Meeting

Multiple representatives of the coalition, which represents victims and supporters from more than 30 countries, met with the Pope in his Vatican office.

The discussion, originally scheduled for 20 minutes, extended to a full hour, during which the religious leader "mostly listened to us," according to the representative.

The Pope was described as "quite empathetic" when listening to the account of a woman abused at a church-run institution for Indigenous children in Canada.

They added the Pope was "tender" about their own experience and seemed "very humble, humorous, and very down to earth."

"Victims have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't perceive like he was giving us lip service," Hickey stated. "I felt like he was sincere, realistic, and receptive and keen to work with us."

Canon Law Changes

The group is advocating that revisions to canon law will enable the adoption of the strict approach globally.

They have consulted specialists and gathered documents that they will present to Pope Leo.

"He appeared interested in looking at it," Hickey remarked.

Responsibility Emphasized

A recently released Vatican-commissioned document emphasized the "necessity of a streamlined protocol for the stepping down and/or dismissal of religious officials or personnel in cases of misconduct or failure to act."

The report also noted that survivors repeatedly stressed the "critical requirement for church leaders and major superiors to be made responsible for inaction and cover-up."

Path Ahead

Hickey shared they told the Pope at the start of their meeting: "This is as much a challenge for him to participate in a conversation as it was for us."

After the meeting, they expressed hope for future change.

"We realise it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the end of the day, uniting and establishing a connection and persisting to build that relationship is a step in the correct path," Hickey stated.

Hickey added that they shared with Pope Leo: "Just because it's a difficult period, I believe like we can alter how the story concludes - he valued that."