Nun scolds bishops at summit on sex abuse by clergy

VATICAN CITY REUTERS Feb 23 -A Catholic nun told bishops on Saturday to acknowledge the church’s hypocrisy in its handling of the sexual abuse crisis, and a cardinal admitted case files had been destroyed.   

 Sister Veronica Openibo, a Nigerian who has worked in Africa, Europe and the United States, spoke with a soft voice but had a strong message for the prelates sitting before her, saying: “This storm will not pass”.   

 She was speaking at the Vatican summit of church officials convened by Pope Francis to confront what he has called the scourge of sexual abuse by the clergy.    “We proclaim the Ten Commandments and parade ourselves as being the custodians of moral standards and values and good behaviour in society... Why did we keep silent for so long?”.   

 She told the Pope, sitting near her on the dais, that she admired him because he was “humble enough to change your mind,” apologise and take action after he initially defended a Chilean bishop accused of covering up abuse.