Father John Joseph Kennedy, the head of the Vatican office responsible for disciplining predator priests, has issued a bold call to bishops worldwide to report all suspected cases of child abuse to him in order to “clean up this situation.”
The Roman Catholic Church has long been plagued by scandals involving paedophile priests and the subsequent cover-up of their crimes, leading to a loss of credibility and significant financial settlements. Father Kennedy, an Irish cleric in charge of the disciplinary section of the Vatican’s doctrinal office, emphasized the need for transparency within the Church.
“I want all cases brought to light, so that the Church can be transparent,” Father Kennedy stated during a rare press appearance. He expressed concern for countries and bishops who are not cooperating in reporting abuse cases, urging them to take action to address the issue.
While Father Kennedy did not specify which nations or dioceses were failing to report cases, he acknowledged the lack of transparency within the Church and hinted at upcoming changes. Victims of abusive priests have often criticized the Church for not keeping them informed about investigations.
With approximately 77% of reported cases involving child abuse, Father Kennedy’s call for increased reporting comes at a crucial time. Both Pope Francis and his predecessor, Benedict XVI, have vowed to take a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse, but critics argue that more needs to be done to address the issue effectively.
As the Vatican works towards greater transparency and accountability in handling cases of child abuse, Father Kennedy’s plea serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the Church in addressing this critical issue.