Before Leaving, Pope Met With Abuse Victims

The Vatican Press Office said that this meeting was an added expression of the Holy Father's Personal Concern for the victims.

SYDNEY (AsiaNews) - With only a few hours to his departure, Benedict XVI met with some of the victims of sexual abuse by Australian priests, celebrating mass together with them.

The encounter took place in the small chapel of Cathedral House. Four victims were present, two men and two women, accompanied by their supporters and by a priest who in charge of pastoral care and guidance for them.

The pontiff concelebrated the mass with Card. George Pell, archbishop of Sydney and Msgr. Fernando Filoni, substitute secretary of state and two secretaries. At the end of the mass the pope spoke with each one of the victims for at least half an hour.

The Vatican Press office released a statement shortly after describing the encounter a san "As an expression of his ongoing pastoral concern for those who have been abused by members of the clergy..... the Pope listened to their stories and offered them consolation. Assuring them of his spiritual closeness, he promised to continue to pray for them, their families and all victims. Through this paternal gesture, the Holy Father wished to demonstrate again his deep concern for all those who have suffered sexual abuse".

Michael Salmon, of the Professional Standards Office, who chose the four people to meet with the Pope, declared that the meeting was truly a "healing experience". "The Pope was wonderful," he added, "He's a very sensitive and very humble man, and I think they picked up on that sensitivity and that spirit of being humble".

The four victims gave made no statements. Card Pell said that this morning's meeting "further reinforces the Church's commitment to bringing healing and justice to those who have been so terribly hurt by sexual abuse".

In the days leading up to this morning's encounter, during the WYD events various groups had pressured the pope to apologise for the sexual abuse by clergy. According to some Australian organisations there are thousands of victims.

Benedict XVI had already addressed the issue in the United States. Saturday July 19th during a meeting with the Australian clergy and religious, speaking off the cuff, he had said that he was "profoundly sorry" for the suffering of the victims of clerical sex abuse.

"I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured," he had said "and I assure them that, as their Pastor, I too share in their suffering. These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation. They have caused great pain and have damaged the Church's witness. I ask all of you to support and assist your Bishops, and to work together with them in combating this evil. Victims should receive compassion and care, and those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice.".

At Sydney airport Benedict XVI thanked the political authorities, volunteers, the sponsors and organisers of the WYD, which over the past week gathered together 500 thousand people.

As WYD co-ordinator, Msgr. Anthony Fisher, said: "Although only a week in duration, World Youth Day will resonate in Australian hearts for a long time to come and will forever be remembered in the lives of the young pilgrims