Father Liudger Gottschlich, a priest from the Archdiocese of Paderborn, has dedicated over three decades to supporting survivors of abuse, drawing from his own experience as a victim of abuse by a priest at the age of eleven. On Tuesday, June 25, he was part of a special audience with Pope Francis at the Pope’s residence, Casa Santa Marta, in the Vatican. The meeting, described as occurring in a “unique atmosphere,” was a poignant moment for Fr Gottschlich and his fellow priests who have also experienced abuse. “As priests who have been victims ourselves, we are in a challenging position within the Church,” Gottschlich explained in an interview with Vatican Radio. He highlighted the isolation often felt by these priests, noting that their presence serves as a constant reminder of unresolved issues within the Church, which can make others uncomfor-table. Fr Gottschlich shared that the encounter with Pope Francis was unlike their usual experiences within the Church. “Generally, we don’t receive much support or backing. There is often a desire for us to be invisible,” he said.
However, this meeting was different. Conducted in the Pope’s private living room, the conversation was intimate and personal. “We found him very interested, very open, and also very encouraging and strengthening. This is something not commonly experienced with our superiors in the dioceses.”
Reflecting on the meeting, Fr Gottschlich emphasized the Pope’s strong encouragement for their work. “The Pope urged us to use our own wounds to aid in pastoral work and to act as healers wherever possible,” he said. The Pope’s encouragement was a significant takeaway, reinforcing the importance of not remaining silent and keeping the issue of abuse alive within the Church. Father Gottschlich also addressed the common assertion that abuse predominantly occurs within families, with the Church representing only a small percentage. He argued that this perspective is too narrow.