The Conference of Bishops of France (CEF) considered on Saturday that the remarks of Pope Francis on Abbé Pierre “encourage” and “work of truth and historical clarification”.
“We welcome the statements of the Holy Father calling for full light to be shed and for a resolute and collective fight against all types of abuse within the Church and society.”the CEF said in a statement.
“This is the meaning of the painful and long work that the Church in France has undertaken since the Ciase (the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church, Editor’s note) and the path on which today’s bishops continue to be determined to advance.”she added.
Pope Francis said at a news conference Friday that the Vatican had been informed of the allegations of sexual abuse against Abbé Pierre, at least “After [s]a mort» in 2007. He also described the founder of Emmaus as “terrible sinner”.
Also readAbbé Pierre: Pope admits that the Vatican was informed of sexual abuse
The Pope’s words “encourage this work of truth and historical clarification around Abbé Pierre, which we call for and which we want to help, by opening our archives now”the CEF stressed.
A source close to the case, however, believes that the Pope’s remarks “are vague and confusing” et “would need to be clarified”car “We don’t know what the Pope was referring to”.
“In France, the bishops would obviously be delighted if the Holy See opened its archives regarding Abbé Pierre. The question remains whether the Holy See was aware of rumors or facts, and which ones.”the same source explained.
Following the opening of the CEF archives announced on Thursday, the bishop of the diocese of Grenoble-Vienne announced on Friday that he was also lifting the deadline for the release of his diocesan archives concerning Abbé Pierre.
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