Sexual abuse of children and adolescents: in search of an Ecclesial Service in Brazil

The Church, at the moment, seeks a new stance in the face of sexual abuse against children and adolescents, based on current positions of the magisterium. This article seeks to make an analysis of distinct ecclesial postures that may present different responses to coping with sexual abuse in the ecclesial community. It is an article of reflection and literature review, proposing pastoral actions. The analysis leads to the understanding that a Church at service is open to joint action with society and adds to everyone's efforts to overcome situations of human suffering and threats to life as a whole. This Church is open to welcoming allegations of sexual violence by members of the ecclesial community, situating the victimized person as the true Church that needs to be protected. It is concluded that it is necessary to create an Ecclesial Service for the Protection against Sexual Abuse of Children and Adolescents in the Church in Brazil, which does not focus only on the abuses committed by ecclesial leaders, but that seeks to cure the entire ecclesial tissue. A service that articulates with the existing network protection of children and adolescents and that fulfills its canonical function, when applicable.