Recently, Catholic popes have begun a controversial practice of publicly apologizing for specific spiritual harms done by the Church. In this paper, I argue that these public apologies can be fruitful, but only if popes proceed with a robustly Christian and survivor-centered model of repentance, placing the needs of others over concern for reputation.
I argue that public apology does have a place in Catholic repentance, even apology on behalf of the whole Church, but that it must be done on the terms of the survivors and with their (self-determined) interests at heart. I suggest that the Church use its own magisterial formula for the sacrament of reconciliation as a starting script for public repentance. This should include an examination of conscience, a full confession, and an act of penance. Each of these aspects should de-center concern for self and center, instead, the voices of survivors.