| 14-year-old Brian Teeman, sex abuse victim of Msgr. Thomas O'Brien shot himself in November 1983. Will the bishops at the summit address the relationship between clergy abuse and suicide during their summit? |
February 2019
Sex
Abuse Victims and Clerical Suicide —
A Study of the Toxic Legacy of Clerical Molestation
By
Randy Engel
Introduction
On
February 21-24, 2019, Pope Francis will convene an international “summit” on clerical sexual abuse and the
protection of minors (and vulnerable adults) in the Church in the New Synod
Hall in Rome. The meeting will focus on three particular areas —
responsibility, accountability and transparency. It will include plenary
sessions, working groups, moments of common prayer and listening to
testimonies, a penitential liturgy and a final Eucharistic celebration. The plenary
sessions with be directed by the Italian Jesuit, Father Federico Lombardi, former
Director of the Vatican Press Office from 2006 to 2010.
