Bishop of Macau D. Stephen Lee invited the diocesan and religious clergy of the diocese and superiors of female religious communities for a meeting at 10 AM on the 22nd of March to report on the last Meeting on the Protection of Minors in the Church held in Rome. The Meeting had been convened by Pope Francis and was held in the Vatican from 21 to 24 February.
More than a hundred priests and religious sisters responded to the bishop’s invitation, prompting a transfer of venue from the conference hall of the Bishop’s House to a hall at the St Joseph’s Diocesan School.
Bishop Lee made reference to what Pope Francis had said concerning the results of the meeting in an address the Holy Father delivered in the Sala Regia at the end of the Eucharistic concelebration on Sunday, 24 February 2019. (See link below.)
Throughout the Rome meeting, the participants had the opportunity to listen to or watch the testimonies of around ten victims of abuse. He then started to make a brief summary of the different presentations, including those from cardinals, bishops, religious sisters and lay women from the media. The following are the few points emphasized by the speeches:
- The poor handling of cases of abuse and the lack of response on the part of some Church authorities. There were instances in which the victims were rejected and the scandal was covered up.
- Concrete steps are called for to provide openness and transparency in dealing with issues of abuse, which can also be considered as an abuse of power. Instead of blaming the media or social networks, the Church should thank them for bringing the abuse into the open.
- Among the problems raised were inadequate procedures for selecting candidates to the priesthood and failure to apply canonical penalties because of a certain aversion – even of some bishops – to Canon Law. With regard to screening and formation of candidates, it was pointed out that the help of psychologists should also be enlisted in order to detect deficiencies that could be detrimental to their spiritual health. Likewise, it is important to take into account the prevailing atmosphere of hedonism and pornography that affects everyone.
- The importance of initial formation and continual formation was emphasized. He also cited the need for personal conversion with the help of spiritual direction, confession, monthly recollections and yearly retreats.
- A code of conduct was called for that includes bishops, procedures that include all sexual misconduct (not only abuse of minors) by ordained ministers or consecrated people. It has been pointed out that such malfeasance could be distinguished: a morally sinful, an ecclesial crime, and a civil crime. In such cases, the canonical process will go hand in hand with the civil process. Sexual misdemeanor of lay persons working for the Church, on the other hand, should be reported to civil authority in accordance with the present civil legislation.
At the end of Bishop Lee’s sharing, Fr Manuel Machado presented a Provisional Code of Conduct for Diocesan Clergy and Religious (2019 edition) for the diocese of Macau. It was the result of a two-year study based on Canon Law, civil legislation in Macau and existing regulations among the religious orders. He explained that it is an evolving document. Inputs and feedback from the clergy, the religious and the faithful are welcome.
Pope Francis’ final discourse can be found in
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