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People who experienced abuse by Catholic clergy have voiced fresh optimism following their initial meeting with the new Pope at the Holy See.

The board president, who leads Ending Clergy Abuse, commented that the pontiff's choice to engage with them so early in his papacy sent a strong message about his dedication to tackling the issue.

Worldwide Zero-Tolerance Policy Pushed

The group is advocating for a worldwide strict approach that would defrock any priest who admits to or is proven of sexually abusing a minor. This policy has been implemented in the US.

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

"We were all being realistic when we recognized that there is pushback," they remarked.

Legacy Challenge

The current pontiff, who assumed the role in May, has taken on this longstanding issue that has haunted the Church for decades.

Earlier attempts to resolve the situation included an historic summit on child abuse within the Church and revisions to church laws to clearly outlaw abuse.

Personal Link

For Hickey, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, the campaign for worldwide adoption of the policy is personal. The Canadian activist revealed they were victimized by a priest who was later transferred between different parishes.

"We trust this will establish the direction for his papacy, because we want to collaborate with him," Hickey stated. "We have the common objective, we want to end abuse by religious officials."

Significant Meeting

Seven representatives of the organization, which includes victims and supporters from more than 30 countries, engaged with the Pontiff in his official residence.

The discussion, originally scheduled for a brief period, lasted to a full hour, during which the Pope "mostly listened to us," according to Hickey.

The Pope was described as "quite empathetic" when hearing the account of a woman abused at a Catholic residential school for native youth in Canada.

They noted the leader was "tender" about their own experience and seemed "modest, humorous, and very down to earth."

"Victims have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't perceive like he was giving us lip service," they stated. "I felt like he was sincere, realistic, and very open and eager to work with us."

Canon Law Changes

The group is advocating that changes to church regulations will enable the implementation of the strict approach worldwide.

They have consulted specialists and compiled materials that they will present to the pontiff.

"He seemed engaged in reviewing it," Hickey noted.

Responsibility Emphasized

A recently released Vatican-commissioned report emphasized the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the stepping down and/or removal of religious officials or personnel in cases of misconduct or failure to act."

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

Path Ahead

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

Following the encounter, Hickey voiced optimism for progress.

"We realise it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the conclusion, coming together and building a connection and persisting to strengthen that relationship is a step in the correct path," they stated.

Hickey concluded that they shared with Pope Leo: "Just because it's a dark chapter, I feel like we can change how the story concludes - he appreciated that."