Hong Kong’s Cardinal John Tong announces measures against sex abuse of church minors, saying there is ‘no place for culture of silence’
- Among reforms is banning leaders and adults from being alone with a child in a confined space
- Move comes as Vatican struggles to restore credibility amid a worldwide scandal
Catholic priests and other adults who serve the church in Hong Kong have been told they should not be alone with children in a confined space, the head of the city’s 400,000-strong diocese has said as he announced new measures against sex abuse.
In his latest pastoral letter printed in the diocese’s weekly publication Kung Kao Po, Cardinal John Tong Hon wrote: “There is no place for a culture of silence and covering up in church circles.
“What is called for is transparency. Victims and potential victims are those who need to be protected, not the reputation of the perpetrators, nor that of ecclesiastical structures.”
His comments follow the Vatican’s struggles to restore credibility following recent sex scandals in churches worldwide, with most cases involving children.
Tong said: “As far as church leaders and those involved in pastoral services or church activities are concerned, they should never be alone with a single child in an isolated and closed place, for whatever reason.”
He added that priests should hear confession from children in places where trusted adults are also present.
