Extent of Church child abuse convictions revealed

Bishop Roman Pindel (L), Primate of Poland Archbishop Wojciech Polak (C) and Archbishop of Krakow Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz during a penitential mass in Krakow on Friday for the sins of Polish clergymen. Photo: PAP/Stanislaw Rozpedzik

The research was conducted by chairman of the Child Protection Centre Father Adam Zak, who contacted over 250 courts nationwide.

Child abuse cases were widely publicised in the Polish media over the last two years, and Father Zak stressed that “the ignorance” that had previously held sway was dangerous.

“The fact of this ignorance is disturbing because on the one hand it hides suffering and harm from our conscience, and on the other hand there is betrayal and a terrible infidelity,” he said.

Father Zak revealed that he intends to broaden his research to cover convictions since 1990.

'Evil'

The conference followed a penitential mass held on Friday evening in Krakow for the sins of clergyman in the sphere of child abuse.

The service at the Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was attended by many of the Poland's most prominent clergymen, including Primate of Poland Archbishop Wojciech Polak and Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow.

“The evil committed by some [clergymen] prompts distrust and suspicion,” Cardinal Dziwisz said during Friday's mass.

He stressed that it is “necessary to understand and confront this evil clearly and without hesitation.”

He added that “it is not permissible to present this deviancy as if it was a wickedness that is typical of the Catholic Church.” (nh/pg)

Source: PAP