Abuse victims meet pope after Munich to Rome bike trek
Deutsche Welle
23-05-17 08:32
Nine victims of clerical sexual abuse had an audience with the Pope on 19 September, after completing a 715km bicycle challenge to symbolise their desire to be “heard and seen.” The event was organised by abuse groups in the Munich and Freising archdiocese. The group of abuse victims and their supporters arrived in Rome on 18 September, having covered the distance in ten stages. They carried stones representing their emotions on their journey, including such feelings as worthlessness and suicide. The stones will be placed in the garden of the Bavarian archdiocese’s Rome meeting centre. The group has asked Pope Francis to compel the Church to punish abusers and hold bishops accountable.