Sexual abuse victims slam John Paul II sainthood Pope John Paul II, who will be made a saint on Sunday along with John XXIII, was a charismatic leader who helped topple communism, but was criticised for failing to tackle the scourge of child sex abuse by priests. Campaigners accuse him of putting the interests of the Catholic Church above all and turning a blind eye to the allegations, and now strongly oppose his canonization. Images and soundbites from the DC director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.