Portuguese church abuse scandal clouds Pope's visit

(27 Jul 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lisbon, Portugal - 25 July 2023
1. Low angle shot of church facade as bells ring
HEADLINE: Portuguese church abuse scandal clouds Pope's visit
2. Close of statue on church façade
LOCATOR: LISBON
3. Close of angel on church façade
ANNOTATION: Pope Francis is set to visit Portugal next week, where a church sex abuse scandal that erupted earlier this year is still simmering.
4. Wide of top of church
5. Close of statue of saint on facade
6. Wide of cathedral with sun shining through top
ANNOTATION: A panel of experts reported in February that at least 4,815 Portuguese boys and girls had been abused since 1950. Antonio Grosso was one of them.

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oeiras, Portugal - 12 July 2023
7. Wide of Antonio Grosso holding letter written by his daughter following the unvealing of his story of abuse
8.SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Antonio Grosso, victim of abuse/co-founder of Association Coração Silenciado (silenced heart) for victims and survivors of the Portuguese Church:
"It's a great complex of guilt. Guilt for not being able to avoid it, for not saying no, for not reporting it in time.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lisbon, Portugal - 25 July 2023
9. Pope Francis sign on facade of church
ANNOTATION: Antonio says the Church is still trying to cover up the truth. He would like to see Pope Francis speak about the issue while in Portugal.

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oeiras, Portugal - 12 July 2023
10.SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Antonio Grosso, victim of abuse/co-founder of Association Coração Silenciado (silenced heart) for victims and survivors of the Portuguese Church:
“What would give us some strength in the commitment (of the church) would be for him to come and say that he considered these as mistakes and that he intends to order for them to be repaired.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lisbon, Portugal - 20 July 2023
11. Wide of Bishop Americo Aguiar
ANNOTATION:The church apologized and is working on procedures to respond to the issue. Staff at World Youth Day are receiving training to prevent and spot abuse.
12. Close of WYD symbol
13. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Bishop Americo Aguiar, World Youth Day:
"In my heart and of many - I cannot say of all but many and of Portuguese society at large - the place of the victims is very special, they hold a place of priority, of attention and of great care and this is crucial. We cannot forget that pain never expires.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lisbon, Portugal - 25 July 2023
25. Various of sign of Pope and WYD on church facade reading "see you in August"
ANNOTATION: While there is no mention on the pontiff’s official agenda, the Pope is expected to meet with victims during his time in the country.
STORYLINE:
Pope Francis is making a five-day visit next week to Portugal, where a scandal that erupted earlier this year over Catholic Church sex abuse is still simmering.

A panel of experts reported in February that at least 4,815 Portuguese boys and girls had been abused since 1950.

Before those findings, senior Portuguese church officials maintained there had been only a few cases of clergy sex abuse.

Church officials have hesitated over such central issues as reparations for victims and whether to suspend active members of the clergy named in the panel’s report.

The scandal is unfinished business in Portugal, where Francis will attend World Youth Day.

Hundreds of thousands of people are due to attend.

AP video shot by Helena Alves

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