Church Abuse Victims Say They Were Not Invited to Meet Pope in Madrid
June 2026 | By Azad News
Several associations representing victims of clerical sexual abuse have expressed concern after not being invited to a meeting reportedly scheduled with Pope Leo XIV in Madrid.
The Vatican stated that a meeting would take place during the pope’s visit to Spain, but said details would be withheld until after the event out of respect for victims.
According to Spanish media, the meeting is expected to take place at the Vatican embassy in Madrid, also known as the apostolic nunciature.
Victims’ groups say their exclusion undermines efforts to properly represent those affected by abuse within the Church.
Representatives from the association Infancia Robada described the decision as disappointing, saying survivors deserve a more central role in discussions.
Some victims have also criticized the structure of the meeting, suggesting it may not fully reflect the experiences of all survivors.
The Pope has previously described abuse within the Church as an “open wound” that requires continued attention and accountability.
Spanish officials and Church representatives have taken steps in recent years toward compensation agreements for survivors of clerical abuse.
Reports from Spain’s national ombudsman have estimated that hundreds of thousands of minors may have been affected by abuse over several decades.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between victims’ groups and Church authorities regarding transparency and engagement.
Conclusion
The exclusion of victim associations from the planned meeting has renewed debate over how the Church engages with survivors and addresses historical abuse cases.
Disclaimer: This article is a rewritten and professionally structured summary of publicly available news content. It has been fully edited for clarity, SEO optimization, and publishing use without copying original phrasing.
