Sunday, June 22, 2025 - Pope Leo XIV has called for a cultural shift within the Catholic Church that refuses to tolerate abuse “in any form,” as he publicly praised a Peruvian journalist for her work exposing abuse within a powerful Catholic organization
In his first public statement on clerical abuse since
becoming pope on May 8, Leo commended investigative journalist Paola Ugaz, who
has faced legal threats and death threats for her reporting on the Sodalitium
Christianae Vitae (SCV), a prominent Catholic group with deep ties to Peru’s
elite.
“It is
urgent to ingrain throughout the Church a culture of prevention that does not
tolerate any form of abuse—neither of power or authority, nor of conscience or
spirituality, nor sexual,” Leo wrote. “This culture will only be authentic if
it is born of active vigilance, transparent processes, and sincere listening to
those who have been hurt.”
He emphasized the essential role of journalism in
cultivating that culture, describing Ugaz and other Peruvian journalists as
courageous and dedicated to the truth in their investigations into the SCV,
which has since been dissolved.
Pope Leo, who previously served as a missionary and bishop
in Peru, had firsthand knowledge of the SCV abuse cases and played a key role
in ensuring action was taken against the group. Several survivors credited his
involvement with moving investigations forward.
In his message, Leo stressed the need for the Church to walk
“a concrete path of humility, truth, and reparation,” echoing Pope Francis’
2018 pledge to protect minors and vulnerable adults. He insisted that
addressing abuse must go beyond policy—it must reflect a true internal
transformation.
The pope’s support for journalists marks a shift in tone, as
some church leaders have previously criticized media coverage of abuse
scandals. Leo, however, praised those who exposed the SCV’s wrongdoing for
their “courage, patience, and fidelity to the truth,” despite facing “unjust
attacks.”
His message was read on June 20 during a performance in Lima
of Proyecto Ugaz, a play depicting Ugaz’s years-long investigation into the
SCV. The reading was delivered by Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, a Vatican
investigator, with Ugaz present on stage.
Leo emphasized that journalism is vital in ensuring the
Church is a place “where no one suffers in silence” and where “truth is not
seen as a threat, but as a path to liberation.”
He also addressed broader press freedom issues, particularly
in Peru, where journalists have faced rising intimidation since the removal of
President Pedro Castillo in 2022.
“In this
time of profound institutional and social tensions, defending free and ethical
journalism is not only an act of justice, but a duty of all those who yearn for
a solid and participatory democracy,” the pope stated. “Wherever a journalist
is silenced, the democratic soul of a country is weakened.”
Shortly after his election, Leo met with media
representatives in the Vatican, where he reiterated his support for a free
press and called for the release of imprisoned journalists. Ugaz, who attended
the meeting, greeted him with a smile, offering him a box of chocolates and a
Peruvian scarf.
Reflecting on that encounter, Pope Leo described journalism
as a “sacred mission,” calling journalists “bridges between the facts and the
conscience of the people.”
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