Pope Francis: "Sex Abusers Are "Children Of God" And Deserve Love"

Pope Francis

According to the pope, sexually abusive priests are both "enemies" and "children of God," who need to be nurtured as well as punished.

The pontiff made his comments last month when in private conversation with a group of Jesuit priests in Hungary, but an Italian Jesuit journal, La Civilta Cattolica, only made them public on Tuesday.

Francis wondered whether he should give "Christian life" to priests who had harmed children's lives and the Catholic Church's standing. It's not simple at all, the Pope declared. How can we communicate with those that we have disdain for and how can we become close to them? Although they are also God's children, how can we love them? It's a challenging question.

He went on, "The abuser must be condemned, indeed, but as a brother. Condemning him is to be understood as an act of charity," adding that it was like "loving the enemy."

He continued, "The abuser must be condemned, indeed, but as a brother. Condemning him is to be understood as an act of charity," adding that it was like "loving the enemy."

Francis was responding to a question from an unnamed Jesuit priest, who asked, "I would like to offer the compassion and love that the Gospel asks for everyone, even the enemy. But how is this possible?"

Francis said, "Even talking to the abuser involves revulsion; it's not easy. But they are God's are children of God, but how can we love them? It's a very tough question."

Francis said, "Even talking to the abuser involves revulsion; it's not easy. But they are God's children too." He added: "They need a punishment but also pastoral care. How do you do that? No, it's not easy."