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Individuals who experienced sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have voiced renewed hope following their initial encounter with the new Pope at the Holy See.

Gemma Hickey, heading the anti-abuse organization, stated that the pontiff's decision to meet with them so early in his papacy sent a strong message about his dedication to addressing the issue.

Worldwide Strict Approach Pushed

The organization is advocating for a global strict approach that would permanently remove any priest who confesses to or is found guilty of sexually abusing a minor. This policy has already been adopted in the United States.

The Pontiff recognized 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," they stated.

Legacy Challenge

The current pontiff, who assumed the role in May, has taken on this longstanding issue that has haunted the Church for decades.

Earlier attempts to address the situation included an unprecedented summit on paedophilia within the Church and revisions to canon law to explicitly criminalize sexual abuse.

Personal Link

For Hickey, who prefers they/them pronouns, the campaign for global implementation of the measure is deeply meaningful. The Canadian activist revealed they were abused by a priest who was later transferred between various churches.

"We trust this will establish the direction for his papacy, because we aim to work with him," they expressed. "Both sides share the common objective, we want to eliminate clergy abuse."

Significant Meeting

Multiple representatives of the organization, which represents survivors and advocates from over thirty nations, engaged with the Pontiff in his official residence.

The meeting, originally scheduled for 20 minutes, lasted to a full hour, during which the Pope "mostly listened to us," according to the representative.

The Pope was characterized as "very understanding" when hearing the story of a female survivor victimized at a Catholic residential school for Indigenous children in Canada.

They added the leader was "tender" about their personal experience and appeared "very humble, humorous, and very down to earth."

"Victims have consistently sought a seat at the table and I didn't perceive like he was making empty promises," they commented. "I felt like he was genuine, practical, and receptive and eager to collaborate with us."

Church Regulations Reforms

The organization is hoping that changes to church regulations will enable the implementation of the strict approach globally.

They have consulted specialists and gathered materials that they will present to the pontiff.

"He appeared interested in looking at it," they noted.

Responsibility Highlighted

A recently released Vatican-commissioned document emphasized the "necessity of a streamlined protocol for the stepping down and/or dismissal of religious officials or staff in cases of misconduct or negligence."

The report also noted that victims repeatedly stressed the "urgent need for bishops and major superiors to be made responsible for inaction and cover-up."

Path Ahead

Hickey revealed they informed the Pope at the beginning of their meeting: "This is as much a risk for him to participate in a conversation as it was for us."

Following the encounter, Hickey voiced optimism for progress.

"We realise it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the conclusion, uniting and establishing a connection and continuing to build that relationship is a move in the correct path," they stated.

Hickey added that they shared with the pontiff: "Even though it's a difficult period, I feel like we can change how the narrative ends - he valued that."