Faithful flock to Rome ahead of double canonisation of popes
- 10 years ago
Tourists and pilgrims have been flocking to St. Peter’s Square in Rome ahead of Sunday’s historic double canonisation of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII.
The faithful have travelled from around the world to be there for Sunday’s ceremony at the Vatican including a group of priests on bikes who had travelled from Poland.
Not everyone will be celebrating however. For victims of sex abuse in the church there is anger and disappointment that John Paul II will be made a saint.
The Survivors’ Network of those abused by Priests (SNAP) held a candlelight vigil near the Vatican.
“We do not know if John Paul II did not know, or did not want to know, but many people throughout decades tried to warn him about a massive problem with sex abuse of minors within the Catholic Church. And for 27 years, he did not do anything about it. Not a single bishop was dismissed for covering for and protecting sex offenders,” said Miguel Hurtado, the leader of SNAP.
The faithful have travelled from around the world to be there for Sunday’s ceremony at the Vatican including a group of priests on bikes who had travelled from Poland.
Not everyone will be celebrating however. For victims of sex abuse in the church there is anger and disappointment that John Paul II will be made a saint.
The Survivors’ Network of those abused by Priests (SNAP) held a candlelight vigil near the Vatican.
“We do not know if John Paul II did not know, or did not want to know, but many people throughout decades tried to warn him about a massive problem with sex abuse of minors within the Catholic Church. And for 27 years, he did not do anything about it. Not a single bishop was dismissed for covering for and protecting sex offenders,” said Miguel Hurtado, the leader of SNAP.