Catholic Pope affirms priest celibacy, demands 'firm' action on abuse
Leo XIV was speaking to over 400 bishops from 38 countries in St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday.
READ MORE : http://www.africanews.com/2025/06/26/catholic-pope-affirms-priest-celibacy-demands-firm-action-on-abuse
Subscribe on our Dailymotion channel and receive all the latest news from the continent.
Africanews is available in English and French. Website : www.africanews.com Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/africanews.channel/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/africanews
00:01Catholic Pope Leo XIV has affirmed that priests must remain celibate and insisted the Church must take firm and decisive action to deal with sexual abuse by clergymen.
00:10He was speaking to over 400 bishops from 38 countries in St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, outlining what they must do to lead their congregations.
00:18Together with material poverty, the life of the bishop is also marked by that specific form of poverty, which is celibacy and virginity, for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
00:36This is not simply a matter of being celibate, but of practicing chastity of heart and conduct,
00:41and in this way living a life of Christian discipleship and presenting to all the authentic image of the Church, holy and chaste in her members as in her head.
00:54He must be firm and decisive in dealing with situations that can cause scandal and with every case of abuse,
01:01especially involving minors, and fully respect the legislation currently in force.
01:11It was the second time in a week that the pontiff has commented publicly on sex scandals which have rocked the Church for decades.
01:20He said there should be zero tolerance for any kind of abuse,
01:23urging bishops to live in poverty and simplicity and be close to their flocks in both word and deed.
