There are at least two known instances of Robert Francis Prevost looking away or even protecting perpetrators of sexual abuse within the church, prior to his 2025 election to the papacy. In 2000, he allowed Father James Ray, an accused molester of minors, to reside on church grounds. And in 2022, two victims of a 2007 abuse case by a priest came to him — the two young women, abused by a priest, later stated Prevost never opened a case or investigated the matter despite saying he would.[1]
What does this tell us about Pope Leo XIV, as Prevost is now known? I say, it’s quite telling. It tells us that he is a man who knew how to “play the game” within the church — the fine art of looking the other way when abuse comes up has been a part of internal Vatican policies since times immemorial. Yes, Prevost is well-spoken. And he has the right mixture of respect for tradition and adherence to some of the more progressive standpoints Pope Francis held dear, such as his support for the poor and his advocacy for immigrants.
A more cynical part of me, however, feels that Pope Leo XIV may be a very different creature to Pope Francis. A man more calculating, more careful not to offend, and someone who cares for the downtrodden but not so much if they accuse a fellow priest, in which case he is willing to look the other way… and yes, historically speaking, the Catholic Church has rewarded such men for their loyalty.
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