Consult With Survivors

Denise Buchanan,Ph.D. Los Angeles

Co-founder of Ending Clergy Abuse, CEO http://www.faithhasfeet.com and a member of Brave Movement

Welcoming everyone in dialogue and love.

I, and many other survivors of child sexual violence by priests, accept this invitation. We have already crafted a “zero-tolerance law” alongside canon lawyers. The next crucial step is for Leo to include survivors in discussions that will accelerate a way forward. A Global Survivor Council, with the authority to oversee and enforce compliance with the zero-tolerance law, would be a profound indicator that the church is ready to confront this clergy abuse crisis with genuine accountability.

The track record of the U.S.-born pope is an indication of the level-setting and leadership that he will take into the forward momentum of the church — one that we hope prioritizes justice over reputation. Survivors have the ability to forgive missteps of the past; however, there must be a trajectory toward healing and justice for those harmed. Leo’s words, “God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail,” set the tone for his papacy. Survivors now look with expectation that the pope will ensure the evil of clergy sexual abuse will no longer prevail.

Leo has an opportunity to lead the church into an era of unwavering transparency, accountability and survivor-centered justice. Will he rise to the challenge? The world is watching. Survivors everywhere are waiting.

Read the story here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/05/08/american-pope-letters-leo-xiv-robert-prevost/