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Individuals who endured abuse by Catholic clergy have expressed fresh optimism following their first encounter with Pope Leo at the Holy See.

The board president, who leads Ending Clergy Abuse, commented that the Pope's decision to engage with them so soon in his leadership spoke volumes about his commitment to addressing the issue.

Worldwide Strict Policy Advocated

The group is pushing for a global zero-tolerance policy that would defrock any priest who confesses to or is proven of abusing a child. This approach has already been adopted in the United States.

The Pontiff acknowledged that there is "opposition in some parts of the globe" to this initiative, according to Hickey.

"We were all being realistic when we acknowledged that there is resistance," they remarked.

Inherited Challenge

The current pontiff, who took the position in spring, has inherited this longstanding problem that has plagued the Church for decades.

Earlier attempts to resolve the situation included an historic meeting on paedophilia within the Church and changes to canon law to explicitly criminalize abuse.

Personal Connection

For Hickey, who uses they/them pronouns, the drive for global implementation of the policy is deeply meaningful. The Canadian activist revealed they were victimized by a clergy member who was subsequently moved between different parishes.

"We trust this will establish the direction for his papacy, because we aim to work with him," they stated. "We have the common objective, we seek to end abuse by religious officials."

Significant Encounter

Seven members of the organization, which includes survivors and advocates from over thirty countries, met with the Pontiff in his Vatican office.

The meeting, originally scheduled for 20 minutes, lasted to a full hour, during which the religious leader "primarily heard to us," according to Hickey.

The Pope was characterized as "quite empathetic" when hearing the account of a female survivor victimized at a church-run institution for native youth in Canada.

Hickey noted the Pope was "compassionate" about their own experience and seemed "modest, funny, and approachable."

"Survivors have consistently sought a voice in discussions and I didn't feel like he was making empty promises," Hickey stated. "I felt like he was genuine, realistic, and very open and keen to collaborate with us."

Canon Law Changes

The organization is advocating that revisions to canon law will enable the implementation of the strict approach globally.

They have consulted experts and gathered materials that they plan to submit to the pontiff.

"He seemed engaged in looking at it," Hickey remarked.

Accountability Highlighted

A recent church-ordered report emphasized the "importance of a efficient process for the resignation and/or dismissal of religious officials or staff in cases of abuse or failure to act."

The document also noted that survivors consistently emphasized the "urgent need for bishops and senior officials to be made responsible for inaction and concealment."

Moving Forward

Hickey shared they told the Pope at the start of their meeting: "This is as much a risk for him to participate in a dialogue as it was for us."

Following the encounter, they voiced optimism for progress.

"We realise it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the end of the day, uniting and establishing a connection and persisting to strengthen that relationship is a move in the correct path," they commented.

Hickey added that they told with Pope Leo: "Just because it's a difficult period, I feel like we can change how the story ends - he valued that."