Pope Francis asks bishops not to cover up abuses

This Sunday morning, Pope Francis celebrated the closing Holy Mass of his trip to Belgium, with the rite of Beatification of the Servant of God Ana de Jesús, from where he asked not to cover up the abuse and that “the abuser be judged, be a laywoman, priest or bishop.”

Pope Francis arrived at the King Baboon Stadium at 10:00 a.m., where he rode in a popemobile to greet the 35,000 faithful present.

Beatification of the Spanish Ana de Jesús

At the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration, the biography of the Spanish Ana de Jesús, spiritual daughter of Saint Teresa of Ávila who helped expand the Discalced Carmelites to France and Belgium at the beginning of the 17th century, was read.

Next, the Holy Father promulgated the beatification formula and while the choir sang the Praise the Lord The relics of the new blessed were presented to the Pontiff and placed at the feet of the image of the Virgin Mary.

In his homily, Pope Francis recalled the testimony of Ana de Jesús, a woman who was among the protagonists, in the Church of her time, of a great reform movement, in the footsteps of a “giant of the spirit”—Teresa de Ávila—, “of the one who spread the ideals in Spain, in France and also here, in Brussels, and in those that were then called the Spanish Netherlands.”

“In a time marked by painful scandals, inside and outside the Christian community, she and her companions, with their simple and poor life, made of prayer, work and charity, knew how to bring so many people back to faith, to the point that some defined its foundation in this city as a ‘spiritual magnet,'” he recalled.

He also highlighted that the new blessed did not wish to leave any writings, since she committed herself rather “to putting into practice what she in turn had learned, and with her way of life she contributed to enhancing the Church in a time of great difficulty.” .

“Let us welcome, therefore, with gratitude the model of ‘feminine holiness’ that she has left us, at the same time delicate and strong, made of openness, communion and testimony. Let us entrust ourselves to her prayer, let us imitate the virtues and rediscover with her our commitment to walk together on the standards of the Lord,” the Pontiff exhorted.

“In the Church there is no place to cover up abuse”

Pope Francis recalled his encounter with victims of abuse in the Church during his time in Belgium and invited the faithful to think about the little ones who “are scandalized, beaten, abused, by those who should care for them, those wounded by pain, helplessness, especially in the victims, but also in their families and in their community.”

After listening to the suffering of the abused and reliving their testimonies, he asserted that “in the Church there is room for everyone, everyone, but everyone will be judged and there is no place for abuse, there is no place for covering up abuse,” he reiterated.

“I ask everyone: do not cover up the abuses. I ask the bishops: do not cover up the abuses. Condemn abusers and help them recover from this disease of abuse. Evil cannot be hidden. Evil must come to light, let it be known. As some abused people have bravely done. Let it be known. Let the abuser be judged, whether layman, priest or bishop. Let him be judged.”

Likewise, he stated that “we are all poor sinners, all of us, and first of all me. Abused people are a lament that rises to heaven, that touches the soul, that makes us ashamed and calls us to convert.”

“The community of believers is not a circle of the privileged”

Likewise, he recalled that all of us, with Baptism, “have received a mission in the Church” that “is not a gift” nor a “reason for pride.”

He stressed that “the community of believers is not a circle of the privileged, it is a family of the saved, and we are not sent to bring the Gospel to the world by our merits, but by the grace of God, by his mercy and by trust.” that, beyond all our limits and sins, He continues to put in us with Father’s love, seeing in us what we ourselves cannot glimpse. This is why he calls us, sends us and patiently accompanies us every day.”

He then stressed that “we need to carry out our mission with humility, gratitude and joy” and that “we should not be resentful, but rather rejoice that others can also do what we do, so that the Kingdom of God may grow and we may all come together.” united, one day, in the arms of the Father.”

Later, he recalled that “the only path of life is that of gift, of love that unites in sharing,” since “the path of selfishness generates only closure, walls and obstacles—“scandals,” precisely—chaining us to the things and distancing ourselves from God and our brothers.”

“Selfishness, like everything that prevents charity, is “scandalous” because it crushes the little ones, humiliating the dignity of people and suffocating the cries of the poor,” he asserted.

He also warned that the cry of the poor and those suffering “cannot be ignored, they cannot be canceled, as if they were an out of tune note in a perfect concert of the world of well-being, nor can they be attenuated with some form of façade welfareism.” ”.

“Let’s not fool ourselves, without love nothing lasts, everything fades, collapses, and leaves us prisoners of an evasive, empty and meaningless life, of an inconsistent world that, beyond the facades, has lost all credibility, because it has scandalized the little ones,” said Pope Francis.

“Immediate ceasefire” in the Middle East

At the end of the Mass, Pope Francis recited the Marian prayer of the Angelus and thanked the kings and authorities for welcoming these days. As well as those who have collaborated in this visit, such as the sick and elderly who have offered their prayers.

He recalled that today is the World Day of Migrants and Refugees and renewed his call to the International Community to “grow together in fraternity” and invited to see in each migrant brother “the face of Jesus.”

He also expressed his concern about the conflict in Lebanon and assured that it is a “martyred message.” He lamented the devastating effects on the population of the Middle East and asked to pray for the victims, their families and for peace. “Let the fire immediately cease in Lebanon, in Gaza, in the rest of Palestine, in Israel.”

He also called for the hostages to be released and for help to be allowed to arrive. As usual, he also asked not to forget the “martyred Ukraine.”

The beatification process of King Baudouin will begin

Likewise, he reported that upon his return to Rome he will open the process of beatification of King Baudouin. “May his example as a man of faith enlighten the rulers.”

“I ask that the Belgian bishops commit themselves to carrying forward this cause,” he concluded.