To the Editor:

Re “After Criticism, a Pledge of Church Accountability for Abuse by Priests” (news article, Sept. 28):

As a survivor of childhood priest sexual abuse, I am well aware that changes and efforts to rid the priesthood of sexual predators have been largely due to the insistence, persistence, determination and criticism of survivors, their families and concerned members of the Catholic faith.

So far, after criticism, Francis responds just as many other popes have in the past. Francis will really have a lot to do if he is to keep his promise.

For starters, he can go home and clean his house by releasing records and files of credibly accused priests to the authorities. This would be the beginning of a clean sweep and show his sincerity.

If Francis does not do this quickly and swiftly, his words are nothing more than his predecessors’. I hope that this time is different. I really do. Only time will tell.