The recent statement by Pope Leo XIV, coupled with an earlier apology issued by the Archdiocese of Malta following the conviction of a diocesan priest for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl, confirm the shift in how the Catholic Church is responding to clerical abuse. For too long, instances of abuse within the Church were downplayed, hidden, or ignored. Today, while the wounds inflicted on victims can never be undone, it is encouraging to see the Church - both in Malta and globally - finally taking meaningful steps toward acknowledging past wrongs and actively preventing future abuses.

Pope Leo XIV's firm declaration that there should be "no tolerance" for any type of abuse -  whether sexual, spiritual, or an abuse of power - is an essential message, and one that must now be matched with consistent and uncompromising action. His call for "transparent processes" and the development of "a culture of prevention" is a moral imperative, and one that must permeate every level of the Church's hierarchy. The Pope's specific mention of the need for "sincere listening to those who have been hurt" underscores the need for both accountability and visibility in dealing with such grave issues.

Locally, the Archdiocese of Malta has shown a measure of moral clarity by issuing an unreserved apology to the victim of a priest who was found guilty - even on appeal - of defiling a minor. The fact that the Church took immediate steps to refer the case to the Holy See, resulting in restrictions on the priest's ministry, is a sign that the institution has moved away from its historically defensive posture and toward an approach grounded in justice and responsibility.

However, recognition and apologies, though commendable, are not enough. The Catholic Church must continue to strengthen its response to clerical abuse. That includes immediately removing and, where necessary, defrocking priests found guilty of abuse. It also means continuing to collaborate fully with civil authorities - not as a matter of internal Church protocol, but as a matter of legal and moral duty. There should be no sanctuary for perpetrators behind the veil of religious privilege.

Furthermore, the Church must be proactive, not just reactive. Prevention must start at the seminary level, with rigorous psychological screening, education on boundaries and ethics, and a clear understanding that priesthood is not a shield against accountability. The Church's public commitment must be matched by internal vigilance.

It is therefore critical that the Church's response remains robust even when civil penalties appear light. The Church must continue to stand by victims, offering them not just words, but concrete support: psychological care, legal assistance, and an unwavering public stance that abuse of any kind is abhorrent.

In the past, the Church's failure to deal transparently and decisively with abuse cases led to a massive loss of credibility. It will take years - perhaps generations - to rebuild that trust. The steps now being taken, under the guidance of Pope Leo XIV and in actions such as those by the Maltese Archdiocese, are signs of a Church learning to confront its darkest shadows.

But it must not stop here. The road ahead demands resolve and humility. The integrity of the Church depends on its ability to protect the vulnerable, punish the guilty, and live up to the principles it preaches. Only then can healing truly begin.