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Individuals who endured abuse by Catholic clergy have expressed renewed hope after their first encounter with the new Pope at the Vatican.

Gemma Hickey, heading Ending Clergy Abuse, stated that the Pope's decision to meet with them so soon in his papacy spoke volumes about his commitment to addressing the problem.

Worldwide Zero-Tolerance Policy Advocated

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

The Pontiff acknowledged that there is "opposition in some parts of the world" to this proposal, according to the representative.

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

Legacy Challenge

The new Pope, who took the role in May, has inherited this longstanding problem that has plagued the Church for decades.

Earlier attempts to resolve the problem included an unprecedented summit on child abuse within the Church and revisions to canon law to explicitly criminalize sexual abuse.

Deeply Felt Connection

For the representative, who prefers they/them pronouns, the campaign for global implementation of the measure is personal. The Canadian advocate revealed they were victimized by a clergy member who was subsequently moved between different parishes.

"We trust this will establish the direction for his leadership, because we want to work with him," Hickey expressed. "Both sides share the same goal, we seek to eliminate clergy abuse."

Historic Encounter

Multiple representatives of the coalition, which represents survivors and advocates from over thirty countries, met with the Pontiff in his official residence.

The meeting, originally scheduled for 20 minutes, extended to a full hour, during which the Pope "primarily heard to us," according to Hickey.

The Pope was described as "very understanding" when hearing the story of a female survivor abused at a church-run institution for native youth in Canada.

Hickey added the Pope was "tender" about their own story and seemed "modest, funny, and approachable."

"Victims have consistently sought a voice in discussions and I didn't feel like he was giving us lip service," they commented. "I felt like he was sincere, realistic, and receptive and eager to work with us."

Canon Law Reforms

The organization is advocating that revisions to church regulations will enable the adoption of the strict approach worldwide.

They have spoken with experts and gathered materials that they plan to present to the pontiff.

"He seemed engaged in reviewing it," they noted.

Accountability Emphasized

A recent church-ordered document highlighted the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the stepping down and/or dismissal of Church leaders or staff in cases of misconduct or negligence."

The document also noted that victims repeatedly stressed the "urgent need for church leaders and major superiors to be held accountable for inaction and concealment."

Path Ahead

The representative shared they informed the pontiff at the beginning of their discussion: "This is as much a challenge for him to engage in a dialogue 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 relationship and persisting to strengthen that relationship is a move in the right direction," they commented.

Hickey concluded that they told with Pope Leo: "Even though it's a difficult period, I believe like we can change how the story ends - he appreciated that."