Una dura nota emitida por el arzobispo de Boston denuncia al Papa por «relegar a las víctimas a un exilio de incredulidad» con sus «dolorosas palabras».
El cardenal Sean O’Malley, arzobispo de Boston, ha emitido un comunicado en el que califica de «dolorosas» las palabras de Francisco sobre las víctimas de Barros.
El Papa Francisco, preguntado en Chile, acusó de «calumnias» a las víctimas del obispo Barros de las que, dijo, no le «han traído ni una sola prueba contra él».
En una nota hecha pública en la web del obispado, O’Malley asegura que las palabras del papa incluyen el mensaje de que «si no puedes probar lo que dices no serás creído», y que eso relega a las víctimas a un exilio de incredulidad.
El cardenal de Boston afirma no conocer el alcance de las acusaciones contra Barros y por eso «no saber por qué el Papa eligió esas palabras», aunque muestra toda su confianza en el compromiso de Francisco contra la lacra de la pederastia:
A continuación, el comunicado, en inglés, emitido por el arzobispo de Boston, Sean O’Malley
«It is understandable that Pope Francis’ statements yesterday in Santiago, Chile were a source of great pain for survivors of sexual abuse by clergy or any other perpetrator. Words that convey the message “if you cannot prove your claims then you will not be believed” abandon those who have suffered reprehensible criminal violations of their human dignity and relegate survivors to discredited exile.
Not having been personally involved in the cases that were the subject of yesterday’s interview I cannot address why the Holy Father chose the particular words he used at that time. What I do know, however, is that Pope Francis fully recognizes the egregious failures of the Church and it’s clergy who abused children and the devastating impact those crimes have had on survivors and their loved ones.
Accompanying the Holy Father at numerous meetings with survivors I have witnessed his pain of knowing the depth and breadth of the wounds inflicted on those who were abused and that the process of recovery can take a lifetime. The Pope’s statements that there is no place in the life of the Church for those who would abuse children and that we must adhere to zero tolerance for these crimes are genuine and they are his commitment.
My prayers and concern will always be with the survivors and their loved ones. We can never undo the suffering they experienced or fully heal their pain. In some cases we must accept that even our efforts to offer assistance can be a source of distress for survivors and that we must quietly pray for them while providing support in fulfillment of our moral obligation. I remain dedicated to work for the healing of all who have been so harmed and for vigilance in doing all that is possible to ensure the safety of children in the community of the Church so that these crimes never happen again.»
