The New York Times today published a profile of Michal Gatchalian, a 45-year-old Filipino who was sexually abused by a priest when he was 17.
“Despite the reforms made by the Vatican, the Church here still employs the same methods in handling abuse cases,” said Gatchalian, now a victims’ attorney. “They’re more focused on protecting the priest rather than the complaining victim.”
Gatchalian remains a practicing Catholic and said he has forgiven his abuser, who has been laicized.