On 10th May 2025, Bishop James Curry presided at a service of Healing and Hope for those that have been impacted by abuse and those that work with or support them. As Cardinal Vincent was unable to be present due to the Conclave, he sent the following message which was read out to those who were present by Bishop James.
Full Message
Dear friends,
I am unable to be with you this afternoon because of the death of Pope Francis and the ensuing Conclave which has the task of electing the next Bishop of Rome, the Pope. I want to assure you of my gratitude to you all for gathering together in our Cathedral to pray together, to support each other and to encourage us all in the way forward.
You come here as persons affected by abuse and as those who help and support victims and survivors. You are all most welcome.
Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, described acts of abuse of children and adults at risk as:
“Crimes that inflict deep wounds of pain and powerlessness, primarily among the victims, but also in their family members and in the larger community of believers and non-believers alike.” He went on: “Looking back to the past, no effort to beg pardon and seek to repair the harm done will ever be sufficient. Looking ahead to the future, no effort must be spared to create a culture able to prevent such situations from happening, but also to prevent the possibility of their being covered up and perpetuated.”
Today I express my deep sorrow for the abuse which so many have suffered at the hands of clergy and other people associated with the Church. When this horrific abuse takes place in the very house of the Lord, and when it is hidden instead of disclosed, then the pain suffered is so much more destructive, for it undermines the faith and trust in God of those who have been so betrayed. This deep suffering and pain which you, victims and survivors, have suffered moves me to express again my distress and sorrow at what has happened and, in the name of the Church, to apologise to you all.
We, in Westminster Diocese, have been working consistently to make sure that such crimes have no place in the life of the Church; to ensure that there is a culture of safeguarding in the Diocese; that our churches and other premises are places of safety; and that everyone associated with the Diocese, whether as clergy, religious, employee or volunteer, understands their obligations to be vigilant and to work closely with our Safeguarding Service.
Our practice is now clear. All allegations of abuse are reported to the statutory authorities. We cooperate fully with them in any investigation or work related to any such allegation.
Today is a day when we hope that our presence together and our prayers together will bring some measure of healing and hope.
We ask God our Father to be with us all, to extend to those who suffer his hope and peace, and to those who are genuinely repentant of their offences, mercy and forgiveness.
✠ Cardinal Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster
