The unprecedented four-day meeting, starting on Thursday, brings together presidents of national Roman Catholic bishops conferences, Vatican officials, experts and heads of male and female religious orders. "I am absolutely convinced that our credibility in this area is at stake," said Father Federico Lombardi, who Pope Francis has chosen to moderate the meeting. It expelled former US Cardinal Theodore McCarrick from the Roman Catholic priesthood after he was found guilty of sexual crimes against minors and adults. While many priests have been expelled for sexual abuse, few bishops have met the same fate, and McCarrick was the first former cardinal to be thrown out. While victims of sexual abuse and their advocates welcomed the expulsion, many were sceptical.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 17, 2019 18:33 UTC