Zero tolerance for Church sex abuse – Pope Leo

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo XIV reiterated his stance of zero tolerance for any form of abuse within the Church as Catholic leaders in the Philippines gathered to address clerical sexual abuse.

In his message for the first National Safeguarding Conference in the Philippines, the pope emphasized the need for effective safeguarding measures and transparency in Church institutions.

Pope Leo described the Church as “our spiritual home,” where every parish and pastoral activity should be a place “to glorify God and care for others, especially children and the vulnerable.”

“In this regard, I renew my appeal that there can be no tolerance for any form of abuse in the Church,” he said.

The pope also urged participants to adopt essential policies and practices that ensure transparency in handling cases, foster a culture of prevention and safeguard “these little ones of the Lord.”

“In doing so, the Church in the Philippines and beyond will be a more authentic witness of Christ, the Good Shepherd, who always loves and cares for his flock,” Pope Leo said.

The pope’s message was transmitted by Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown to San Fernando Archbishop Florentino Lavarias, who chairs the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines office on the protection of minors and vulnerable people.

The four-day gathering in Clark, Pampanga brought together more than 370 bishops, diocesan and religious safeguarding officers, as well as pastoral workers from the Philippines and neighboring countries.