The Holy Mass at Brussel’s King Baudo-uin Stadium on 29th September was the final public event of Pope Francis’ 4-day Apostolic Journey to Luxembourg and Bel-gium. In his homily, speaking off-the-cuff, Pope Francis spoke about his encounter on 27 September in Bru-ssels with people who had suffered abuse by clergy members.

“I heard their su-ffering as abuse victi-ms,” he said, “and I repeat here: in the Church, there is room for everyone, everyone, everyone, but we will all be judged, and there is no place for abuse, no place for covering up abuse. I ask every-one: do not cover up abuses! I ask the bi-shops: do not cover up abuses! Condemn the abusers and help them to heal from this disease of abuse.”
“Evil must be brou-ght to light,” continued the Pope. “Let it be known, as some abuse victims have done, and with courage. Let it be known. And let the abuser be judged. Let the abuser be judged, whether layperson, priest, or bishop: let the abuser be judged.”