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Juan Carlos Cruz stands as a significant figure in the relationship with Pope Francis, illustrating a complex journey from initial discord to a deep friendship. Cruz, who endured abuse from a prominent Chilean priest during his formative years, experienced a tumultuous connection with the Pope, especially following a controversial visit to Chile in January 2018. At that time, Pope Francis faced backlash for defending church officials accused of enabling the abuse, suggesting that claims against them were unfounded.
This stance changed dramatically later in 2018 when the Pope re-evaluated his position after Vatican inquiries into the allegations. He publicly apologized and extended an invitation to Cruz and two other survivors to visit the Vatican, marking a pivotal moment in his commitment to addressing abuse within the Church.
Cruz recounted a critical conversation he had with the Pope during that meeting, emphasizing the importance of accountability for church leaders and the need to support survivors rather than blame them. “I don’t ever want for you to fall into what other bishops have been falling, which is, blame the survivors, destroy the honor of many victims,” Cruz expressed, to which the Pope responded affirmatively.
This initial encounter fostered a lasting bond between Cruz and Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday in Vatican City. Cruz described the friendship as enriching, noting that he often traveled to Rome to spend quality time with the Pope, even celebrating Christmas and their respective birthdays together. “It was a very beautiful friendship,” Cruz shared during a recent interview.
Throughout their time together, Cruz cherished the moments filled with laughter, recalling the Pope’s playful banter about the soccer rivalry between Chile and Argentina. “He was so witty and yet so wonderful to everybody,” Cruz reminisced, expressing his deep sadness at the loss of his friend.
In addition to their personal connection, Cruz played a role in the Catholic Church’s efforts to combat child sexual abuse, serving on the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors since 2021. Under Pope Francis, the Church took steps toward accountability, such as a 2019 decree mandating that clergy report incidents of sexual abuse, although this applied only within the church and not to civil authorities.
Cruz lauded the Pope for confronting the realities of abuse head-on, stating, “Pope Francis did what no pope did before, which is call the abuse by its name: sexual abuse, abuse of power, abuse of conscience, cover-up.” He expressed hope that the upcoming papacy would build upon these advancements, underlining the necessity for the Church to address the ongoing struggles of abuse survivors worldwide.
In the wake of Pope Francis’s death, reactions from advocacy groups have varied. The Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests (SNAP) released a statement mourning what they termed the “tragedy” of his papacy, urging the next Pope to establish strict measures against sexual abuse, emphasizing the urgency to remove offending clergy and those who have concealed abuses.
Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, also weighed in, criticizing the former Pope for not taking stronger actions against abusers and their enablers within the Church, calling for greater transparency and accountability for clergy accused of misconduct. “We needed him to follow through on his promises of transparency,” she stated.
Ultimately, Cruz summed up the sentiments surrounding the Pope’s efforts: “It’s a tragedy that Pope Francis couldn’t do more. I see from inside and from outside, and survivors agree.” Despite the challenges and setbacks, Cruz has committed to advocating for changes in the Church’s handling of abuse, asserting that justice for survivors remains imperative as the Church continues to navigate these profound issues.
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www.npr.org