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People who endured sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have voiced renewed hope following their initial meeting with Pope Leo at the Holy See.

Gemma Hickey, heading the anti-abuse organization, commented that the pontiff's choice to engage with them so early in his papacy sent a strong message about his dedication to addressing the problem.

Worldwide Strict Policy Pushed

The organization is pushing for a global strict approach that would defrock any priest who confesses to or is proven of abusing a minor. This policy has already been adopted in the United States.

The Pope recognized that there is "opposition in certain regions of the world" to this initiative, according to Hickey.

"Everyone was practical when we acknowledged that there is resistance," Hickey stated.

Inherited Issue

The current pontiff, who assumed the role in spring, has taken on this persistent issue that has plagued the Church for many years.

Earlier attempts to address the problem included an unprecedented summit on child abuse within the institution and revisions to church laws to clearly outlaw sexual abuse.

Personal Connection

For Hickey, who uses they/them pronouns, the drive for worldwide adoption of the measure is personal. The Canadian activist revealed they were abused by a clergy member who was later moved between various churches.

"We trust this will set the tone for his papacy, because we want to collaborate with him," they expressed. "Both sides share the common objective, we want to eliminate clergy abuse."

Historic Encounter

Seven representatives of the coalition, which includes survivors and advocates from over thirty nations, engaged with the Pontiff in his official residence.

The meeting, initially planned for 20 minutes, lasted to a full hour, during which the Pope "primarily heard to us," according to Hickey.

The pontiff was characterized as "quite empathetic" when hearing the account of a woman abused at a Catholic residential school for Indigenous children in Canada.

Hickey added the leader was "tender" about their own experience and seemed "very humble, funny, and approachable."

"Survivors 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 very open and eager to collaborate with us."

Canon Law Reforms

The organization is advocating that changes to canon law will enable the implementation of the zero-tolerance policy globally.

They have spoken with experts and gathered documents that they will submit to the pontiff.

"He seemed interested in reviewing it," they noted.

Responsibility Highlighted

A recently released church-ordered document emphasized the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the resignation and/or removal of Church leaders or personnel in cases of misconduct or negligence."

The document also pointed out that victims repeatedly stressed the "urgent need for church leaders and major superiors to be made responsible for inaction and cover-up."

Moving Forward

The representative revealed they told the Pope at the start of their discussion: "This is as much a risk for him to engage in a dialogue as it was for us."

Following the encounter, Hickey voiced hope for progress.

"We realise it's not something that's going to be resolved quickly, but at the conclusion, uniting and building a connection and persisting to strengthen that relationship is a step in the correct path," Hickey commented.

They concluded that they shared with the pontiff: "Even though it's a dark chapter, I feel like we can change how the narrative ends - he valued that."