The European Council praises the Commission's decision to extend the deadline for submitting proposals for the implementation of the fresh regulations.
Let's Talk Church Business and More
On a blustery Monday afternoon, the summer gathering of the Bishops' Conference got underway at the Mariazell pilgrimage basilica, kicking off with a collective prayer around the altar of grace. The event's chair, Archbishop Franz Lackner, hosted a meeting with the Independent Victim Protection Commission, along with the Church's Victim Protection Foundation, to hash out topics surrounding abuse prevention and victim protection.
Joining the fray were high-ranking officials such as independent victim protection lawyer Waltraud Klasnic, the steely advocate Reinhard Haller, Ulla Konrad, Werner Leixnering, Caroline List, and Kurt Scholz from the commission, as well as representatives from the Victim Protection Foundation including Abt Thomas Renner. These heavy-hitters in the church's efforts to combat abuse were present to strategize and address the grim matter at hand.
Church Chronicles: Dirty Laundry AiredNow, here's a scoop for you- the Catholic Church has put together a comprehensive online repository on measures, guidelines, and advisories against abuse and violence within the Church. By May 31, 2025, the Independent Victim Protection Commission had dealt with a colossal 3,492 cases since 2010. A whopping 98.3% of these cases cleared the ballot in favor of the victims.
To break it down, a grand total of 3,640 individuals have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse in the Church. Of this distressing statistic, 2,271 (62.4%) are men and 1,369 (37.6%) are women. The Church shelled out a staggering €37.7 million as compensation to the victims, with €29.79 million intended for financial assistance and €7.91 million directed towards psychological therapy. The Church has executed each and every one of the "Klasnic Commission's" decisions without hesitation.
Most of these heinous acts occurred in the 1960s and 1970s, with a majority falling under the statute of limitations due to elapsed time frames. A whopping 80% of victims have reported psychological abuse, followed closely by physical violence (79%), a disconcerting 27% have experienced sexual violence, and 11% have suffered from both.
Next on the Cards: Synodality and Carbon ConversationsWith three tremendous days ahead, the bishops will dedicate some time to finalizing the document from the Synod on Synodality. As we commemorate ten years since the publication of Pope Francis' environmental encyclical "Laudato si" (2013-2025), the bishops will discuss the progress made and map out future prospects. There's also an audience with the Apostolic Nuncio in Austria, Archbishop Pedro López Quintana, scheduled for Tuesday.
As the final chapter of the General Assembly unfolds, the bishops will gather for a festive Mass at the Mariazell pilgrimage basilica on Wednesday (11:15 AM). Feel free to join the congregation as all believers are most welcome!
It's worth noting that while the specific discussions and outcomes from the Summer General Assembly of the Bishops' Conference at Mariazell remain undocumented in current sources, the church has made significant strides in addressing abuse and creating safeguards against such occurrences, as exemplified by the leadership of past popes such as Benedict XVI. The Catholic Church has increasingly prioritized adhering to and implementing civil law reporting practices and strengthening safety measures for children and vulnerable individuals within the Church. For additional insights into the proceedings of this meeting, keep a keen eye on official updates or press releases from the Austrian Bishops' Conference.
During the discussions at the Bishops' Conference, the importance of addressing mental and physical health within the Church was acknowledged. The Catholic Church, under the leadership of Pope Francis, has made a commitment to allocating resources towards mental-health and health-and-wellness programs, which includes addressing sexual-health issues. The United States, as a global leader in health-and-wellness research and initiatives, could offer valuable insights and collaboration in this regard.
