“Clerical abuse has resulted in lost credibility, a mounting devotional crisis and, it would not be hyperbolic to say, a real existential threat for the Catholic Church,” Chiara Porro said.
The ambassador made her remarks in a November 21 lecture at the Pontifical Gregorian University. The event offered the Australian diplomat an occasion to offer public reflections on the theme of safeguarding, which had been one of her top priorities during her four-year posting.
“Talking about child sexual abuse can be confronting and challenging. But as I have often said, it is absolutely indispensable, because child sexual abuse thrives on silence,” she said.
“Breaking that silence is a vital step to drive the society-wide effort we need to build a true culture of safety.”
The event was co-sponsored by the Australian Embassy to the Holy See and the Gregorian University’s Institute of Anthropology.
In attendance was the Vatican’s foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher; Cardinal Peter Turkson, chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences; and Cardinal Blase Cupich, who served as a lead organiser of Pope Francis’ 2019 summit on the protection of minors.
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