Cardinal Burke Addresses Sexual Abuse Among Priests

Sexual abuse and religious freedom are some of the major issues the Roman Catholic Church is dealing with today.

For her special series, "From Stratford to the Vatican," Liz Hayes traveled to Rome, Italy for an exclusive interview with Raymond Cardinal Burke.

He was made a cardinal on November 20th, and grew up in Stratford.

St. Peter's Basilica, in Vatican City, is known as one of the holiest Christian sites in the world, where Peter, one of the 12 apostles, is said to be buried.

Millions travel to Rome each year just to take in the breathtaking views and rich renaissance art.

But behind the Catholic holy ground, lies a dark scandal; that of sexual abuse of minors by clergy.

The joining of cardinals made for an opportunity to discuss some of the issues facing the chruch today. 

The pope ordered a day of prayer.

Cardinals were asked to focus on a number of issues, including religious freedom in the world and sexual abuse.

During the consistory of cardinals, the Vatican announced it was preparing a new set of guidelines to help bishops offer a "coordinated and efficient" response to sexual abuse. 

Exact guidelines have not yet been publicized.

"I believe in our nation measures are in place to prevent this from happening, not that it couldn't if people aren't vigilant, so the important thing is bishops and priests be very vigilant against any priest who might show signs of this kind of criminal activity," Raymond Cardinal Burke said.

He says the heinous acts of some priests, doesn't prevent the church from being the body of Christ.

As for the victims of sexual abuse, the church has work to do.

"We can't ever do enough for the victims. For our part, I know this is true for a lot of priests and bishops, we've tried to remain in communication, try to accompany them to a certain degree of healing. You never fulling get over such an experience but if you can permit our Lord to touch our soul there then is a healing that comes," he said.

Unfortunately, many abused individuals do not go back to the church precisely because of the pain caused there.

But sexual abuse is not the only issue the Catholic church faces in this day and age.

"It's simply tougher today. We have many more people whom for whatever reason have grown up without a strong faith so they tend to resist what the church is saying."

The challenge is, he says, to find ways of speaking to people's hearts.

 

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