“We cannot exonerate ourselves” – SVD Superior begs forgiveness for clerical abuse, Church’s silence on injustice

Accra-Ghana, The Provincial Superior of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) Ghana-Liberia Province, Very Rev. Fr. Cyprian Kuupol, has issued an apology to victims and survivors of clerical abuse and other injustices within the Church.

Speaking at the climax of the SVD’s 150th anniversary celebration in Accra, Fr. Kuupol acknowledged the Church’s failings and asked for forgiveness.

“On a rather sensitive note, I speak on behalf of the entire Society of the Divine Word, but more particularly on behalf of the Ghana-Liberia Province, to sincerely apologise to the victims and survivors of the sins and grave crimes of clerical abuse – a human weakness we cannot exonerate ourselves from without your forgiveness,” he said.

He admitted the damage done, saying that, “We apologise to all for the lifelong scars, pains and stigmas innocent souls have endured.”

The Superior also confessed failures of leadership in addressing wider social and moral issues. “Additionally, I request your forgiveness for the sins of omission on the part of our leaders who failed or did not respond satisfactorily to matters of urgency, including galamsey, all manner of injustices, corruption and many others,” he said.

Fr. Kuupol promised corrective action, adding that, “Hereafter, more stringent measures would be put in place to tackle exploitation by priests and brothers, together with all matters of relevance.”