【340-342】Pope Francis: 'We Showed No Care for the Little Ones'

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AS IT IS

Pope Francis: 'We Showed No Care for the Little Ones'

August 20, 2018

Pope Francis delivers a speech to the faithful prior to the Angelus prayer, on Aug. 19, 2018 at St. Peter's square in the Vatican. (AFP PHOTO / Filippo MONTEFORTE)

Pope Francis released a letter to Roman Catholics around the world Monday condemning sexual abuse by Church officials and efforts to hide it. He demanded responsibility be taken but he did not say how he might punish those involved. He also did not propose a plan to stop such wrongdoing.

Francis asked forgiveness for the suffering of victims. He said all Catholics must be involved in the effort to stop abuse and attempts to hide abuse. He denounced the clergy culture that has been blamed for the crisis. Church leaders are accused of being more concerned with their self-image than the safety of children.

“With shame and repentance,” Francis wrote, we admit “we were not where we should have been, that we did not act in a timely manner, realizing the magnitudeand the gravity of the damage done to so many lives.”

He added, “We showed no care for the little ones.”

The Vatican released the three-page letter before Francis' trip to Ireland Saturday.

Francis’ letter was a reaction to American and Irish pressure that he takes a strong position on the worldwide abuse crisis. That pressure increased after he traveled to Chile in January. There he dismissed victims' accusations of abuse as “calumny,” meaning lies to hurt someone’s image.

The pope's trip to Ireland was expected to deal with sex abuse in the Church. However, it became an even bigger issue following reports about one of the pope’s most trusted Church officials in the U.S.

FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis reaches out to hug Cardinal Archbishop emeritus Theodore McCarrick after the Midday Prayer of the Divine with more than 300 U.S. Bishops at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington.

Several people have accused the retired archbishop of Washington, Theodore McCarrick, of sexually abusing young people and adults in training to enter the clergy.

In addition, a Pennsylvania grand jury last week reported that at least 1,000 children were victims of about 300 clergymen over the past 70 years. The report said generations of high-level church officials repeatedly failed to take measures to protect children or punish suspects.

Also, investigations into sex abuse continue to grow in Chile. Chilean police have raided Church records to try to learn what it has known about its abusive clergy.

In his letter, which was released in seven languages, Francis spoke about the Pennsylvania report. But, Church officials said the message was meant for people around the world.

Francis wrote, “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…”

Some supporters of victims said the letter was not enough.

Anne Barrett Doyle is with the research group Bishop Accountability. On Monday, the group released information on Irish clergy accused or found guilty of sex abuse.

“Mere words at this point deepen the insult and the pain,” she said of the pope’s letter. She also said, Francis should order the release of names of all priests who have been found guilty under Church law of abusing young people.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro praised the pope's letter. He also urged local Church officials to “cease their denials and deflections'' and accept the grand jury terms. Those include changing limits on the amount of time people have to bring a legal case against a person or a group.

I’m Caty Weaver.

Nicole Winfield reported this story for the Associated Press. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

shame - n. a feeling of guilt, regret, or sadness that you have because you know you have done something wrong

repentance - n. the act of feeling or showing you are sorry for something bad or wrong that you did and that you want to do what is right

magnitude - n. the size, extent, or importance of something

gravity - n. a very serious quality or condition: the condition of being grave or serious

grand jury - n. (U.S. law) a group of people who look at the evidence against someone who has been accused of a crime in order to decide if there should be a trial

mere - adj. used to say that something or someone is small, unimportant, etc.

deflection - n.the act of changing or causing something to change direction

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AS IT IS

Ethiopian Olympian Living in Exile in US to Return Home

August 20, 2018

Silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa, of Ethiopia, acknowledges applause during an award ceremony as he crosses his wrists in an attempt to draw global attention to recent deadly protests in his home region, Oromia, after the men's marathon at the 2016 Summer Olympics

After winning the silver medal in the men’s marathon event at the 2016 Olympic Games, Ethiopian Feyisa Lilesa went to the United States. He has lived in exile there for the last two years. Now, he has decided to return home.

Feyisa decided to go back to Ethiopia after two athletics organizations told him he would be welcomed as a hero when he arrived.

Ashebir Woldegiorgis, the president of the Ethiopian Olympic Committee, told VOA that the call for Feyisa’s return is meant to better the country.

“He can teach his exemplary ways to other athletes and teach strength to our youngsters,” Ashebir said.

A sign of protest

Feyisa made international news at the Rio de Janeiro games when he crossed his arms above his head after finishing the race. The move was a sign of support for anti-government protesters in Ethiopia. Feyisa made the same sign when he received his silver medal at the 2016 summer games.

Olympic silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa, rear, of Ethiopia, hugs his wife Iftu Mulia, his daughter Soko, right, 5, and son Sora, left, 3, while picking up his family at Miami International Airport, Feb. 14, 2017.

At the time, Ethiopia was moving towards declaring emergency rule. Violent demonstrations were spreading across the Oromia area of Ethiopia. Ethnic Oromos were protesting oppression and other human rights violations.

After the games, Ethiopia’s information minister at the time, Getachew Reda, congratulated Feyisa. He also guaranteed the athlete that it was safe to come home.

But, Feyisa used a special-skill visa to go to the U.S. instead. He settled in Flagstaff, Arizona. Six months later his wife, son and daughter joined him.

Taking a stand

While living in Arizona, Feyisa continued to publicly discuss the human rights situation in Ethiopia. He also continued training.

“There were times when things were happening, and I wrote things from my inner thoughts, not because I have skills, but [because] people take my message and share it,” Feyisa told VOA.

“But I am an athlete, and I am not that appealing. But when I write what I feel and people share, I am happy with it,” he added.

Haile Gebrselassie is a retired Ethiopian runner and winner of two Olympic gold medals who now serves with the Ethiopian Athletic Federation. He told VOA that the decision to invite Feyisa back was connected to the athlete’s willingness to take a stand.

“He was born fearless. I knew him personally, and I was close to him. And he questions why people should be oppressed. He stands up for his people.”

Ashebir Woldegiorgis expressed similar praise. He said Feyisa raised his voice at great personal risk.

“I like heroes,” Ashebir said. “I respect people who stand up and speak up.”

Rebuilding relationships

Ethiopia has reached out to several other exiled citizens.

Since the state of emergency was lifted in June, the government has removed several groups from its list of terrorist organizations. A delegation of Oromo Liberation Front members even visited the capital, Addis Ababa, Tuesday. Last week, the group agreed to end hostilities with the government.

Feyisa says he will continue to train in running when he returns to Ethiopia. Along with that, he said, “I just want to share my gratitude. I would like to thank our citizens who sacrificed their lives … all of the young people and the elders who participated in the struggle.”

I'm Phil Dierking

Salem Solomon wrote this report for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

Do you think athletes should be able to protest their government at the Olympics? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

athlete - n. a person who is trained in or good at sports, games, or exercises that require physical skill and strength

exemplary - adj. extremely good and deserving to be admired and copied

gratitude - n. a feeling of appreciation or thanks

elder - n. of greater age

participate - v. to take part in an activity or event with others

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AS IT IS

Afghanistan Ceasefire Conditional on Taliban Announcement

August 20, 2018

FILE - Afghan Local Police (ALP) keep watch at a checkpoint at Chardara district, in Kunduz province, Afghanistan, June 23, 2015.

Afghan forces rescued nearly 150 people hours after their abduction by Taliban militants. The militants, however, escaped with 21 people following a battle in Kunduz in northern Afghanistan.

The quick response marked a rare battlefield success for the government after weeks of continuing attacks. A government spokesman said tribal leaders were trying to negotiate their release.

The Taliban have been fighting the U.S.-backed Afghan government for nearly 17 years. Recently, they have stepped up attacks, seizing rural areas and launching major attacks against government forces every day.

Earlier this month, the militants seized several neighborhoods in Ghazni, a city 120 kilometers from the capital, Kabul. It took more than five days for government forces to re-take the city with help from U.S. airstrikes and advisers.

The battle for Ghazni killed at least 100 government troops and 35 civilians. The Defense Ministry said about 200 militants were killed.

The latest attack came a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani proposed a holiday ceasefire. The proposal would be conditional on the Taliban halting attacks and could last up to three months.

Ceasefire and prison releases

Presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansoori said on Monday the government would continue its operations against the Taliban until their leadership announces an official ceasefire.

Afghan livestock merchants display animals for the upcoming Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 20, 2018.

However, he added, the Afghan security forces will continue their operations against other Islamic State militants and drug smugglers.

Taliban sources said their leaders had told local commanders to stop fighting for four days this week during the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Adha. But they were not likely to officially announce anything, the sources said.

Chakhansoori also said the Afghanistan government had asked the Taliban for a prisoner list for possible release over Eid. He said the government would consider releasing Taliban prisoners that were old, sick, or who had finished jail terms or were declared free by courts.

The Taliban said they would also release a number of prisoners over Eid.

The US ready to support

From the United States, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that the U.S. is ready to support direct negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

Pompeo said in a statement, "The United States welcomes the announcement by the Afghan government of a cease-fire conditioned on Taliban participation. This plan responds to the clear and continued call of the Afghan people for peace.”

"The last cease-fire in Afghanistan revealed the deep desire of the Afghan people to end the conflict, and we hope another ceasefire will move the country closer to sustainable security," the statement added.

The last ceasefire was in June and lasted for three days.

I’m Phil Dierking.

Ayesha Tanzeem and Ayaz Gul reported this story for VOA News. Phil Dierking adapted the story for Learning English with additional materials from the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor.

Do you think violent conflicts should stop during religious holidays? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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