Renáta Sedláková, Veronika Mullerová

Analysis of crisis communication of popes on the sexual abuse within Catholic Church

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The article deals with the communication strategies of the last three Popes in response to cases of sexual abuse of minors in Catholic Church. The authors are interested in how this sensitive topic is discussed in the official documents of the last three popes and how the discourse of the Holy See regarding sexual abuse is developing. The article analyzes the official texts of the Vatican signed by the Popes (John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis), taking into account the historical development and current trends in the way of communication. The authors focus on the used communication strategies. They point out how the heads of the Catholic Church applied elements of crisis communication in response to these controversial events. The content analysis and thematic analysis showed that the approach of the Popes regarding sexual abuse has been different. While John Paul II. avoids the topic in official communication, Benedict XVI links it to the overall decline of faith, and Francis connects it to clericalism and abuse of power in the Church in general.