Pope Leo proposed establishing ongoing dialogue between the commission and ECA, a suggestion met with optimism by the group
Newsroom (21/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV welcomed six members of ECA Global, an international human rights organization advocating for survivors of clergy abuse, to the Apostolic Palace on Monday. The meeting, described by participants as a “hope-filled step toward greater cooperation,” marked the first time since his election that the pontiff has engaged directly with a group of abuse survivors and activists addressing what recent popes have termed a “scourge” within the Catholic Church.
The delegation from ECA Global (Ending Clergy Abuse), a network spanning over 30 countries, included Gemma Hickey (Canada), Timothy Law (USA), Evelyn Korkmaz (Canada, First Nation), Matthias Katsch (Germany), Janet Aguti (Uganda), and Sergio Salinas (Argentina). The group, united in their mission to prevent abuse and promote accountability, presented their “Zero Tolerance Initiative,” emphasizing consistent global standards and victim-centered policies. The hour-long audience, initiated by a letter from ECA to the newly elected pope, fostered a dialogue rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to justice.
“Pope Leo was warm, open, and attentive,” said Gemma Hickey, a survivor of abuse in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. “He listened to our personal reflections with humility and even a touch of humor.” Hickey, whose abuser was reassigned to two parishes after his crimes, described the meeting as “deeply meaningful,” noting that survivors “felt heard” and valued at a table long closed to them.
The discussion included the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which recently released its second Annual Report. Pope Leo proposed establishing ongoing dialogue between the commission and ECA, a suggestion met with optimism by the group. “This conversation reflects a shared commitment to justice, healing, and genuine change,” Hickey added.
ECA’s letter to the pope, inspired by his call for unity from the Loggia of Blessings, framed the group as “bridge builders” ready to pursue truth and reconciliation. “In polarized times, the most radical act is to sit down and talk,” the letter stated. The pope’s positive response led to this unprecedented meeting, where survivors and activists shared testimonies and proposed collaborative reforms to protect children and vulnerable adults worldwide.
“There was no anger—only hope for accountability and lasting change,” said Hickey. “We believe in the Church’s moral responsibility to lead with transparency and compassion.” Janet Aguti, ECA’s vice-chair from Uganda, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the group’s goal to ensure “the protection of the vulnerable through effective collaboration.”
For survivors like Evelyn Korkmaz, a Canadian First Nation member who carries the trauma of residential schools, the meeting was a step toward reconciliation. “Institutions meant to protect us failed,” she said. “Today’s dialogue is progress toward truth.” Matthias Katsch from Germany urged the pope to prioritize “justice, compensation, and better safeguards,” stressing that “society must listen” to survivors’ voices.
Tim Law, co-founder of ECA USA, underscored the group’s aim for accountability over confrontation. “Our goal is to work together to find solutions,” he said. The meeting concluded with ECA reaffirming the need for continued dialogue and compassion to build a future where safety and dignity are paramount.
At a press conference following the audience, Francesco Zanardi of ECA and Italy’s Rete L’Abuso announced an upcoming report on clerical abuse in Italy, signaling the group’s ongoing advocacy. ECA’s statement called for a world where survivors’ voices guide reform, restoring trust in an institution “capable of great good.”
The meeting, while a single step, offers a glimpse of hope for survivors and activists seeking systemic change within the Catholic Church. As Katsch noted, “It is no longer enough for survivors to speak; the world must act.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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