Pope blames church's own sins for sex scandal (AP)

[News Manager]

AP - Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday blamed the church's own sins for the clerical abuse scandal — not a campaign mounted by outsiders — and called for profound purification to end what he called the "greatest persecution" the church has endured.




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[Chief Bones]

Better late than never .....

Better late than never .....
The Pope's comments come way too late for many of the victims that could have been protected by the church in general and the present Pope (while still a Cardinal), specifically. While still a Cardinal, the Pope could have taken action that would have removed pedophile priests that later went on to abuse hundreds of children.

The present uproar is characterized in voice and print:

By: Nicole Winfield (AP)

Despite the Vatican's initial, defensive response to hundreds of clerical abuse reports in Europe, Benedict has promised that the church would take action to protect children and make abusive priests face justice. He has already started cleaning house, accepting the resignations of a few bishops who either admitted they molested youngsters or covered up for priests who did. But critics say he still hasn't done nearly enough to repair the damage or protect children from a culture of secrecy that allowed priests to rape and molest children for decades unchecked. Some have noted that while Benedict has accepted some bishops' resignations, no bishop has been actively punished or defrocked, even those who admitted to molesting children.

Many are tiring of hearing about his 'strong comments. They want to see 'strong action' said David Clohessy, director of the main U.S. victims' group, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

The latest demands are clearly aimed directly at the Pope and his heel dragging when it comes to holding Cardinals accountable via removal via defrocking. Unless/until the Pope changes policy towards defrocking Cardinals who either carried out cover-ups or were guilty of pedophilia, the "greatest persecution the church has endured", will continue.

 

[MontyB]

But this is just another paper shuffling exercise, make bold statements to the media and sweep the problems under the rug at grass roots level.

I will believe there has been a change in policy only after I see the ones carrying out these acts tossed out of the church and into a jail cell.

 

[Shmack]

Better late than never .....

Better late than never.. what? He didn't do a thing. I doubt his words will make all the pedophil priests think over and stop abusing children.

 

[Chief Bones]

No apology or cover-up needed ........

Better late than never.. what? He didn't do a thing. I doubt his words will make all the pedophil priests think over and stop abusing children.

The 'better late than never', was used to indicate the church bears the blame for "THE SCANDAL" .. that it was the church's sin, not some outside attempt to smear the church. This was the first time that the Holy See has acknowledged this directly.

As far as the acceptance stopping priest abuse, you are correct. It is going to take a policy that directly addresses turning abusive priests over to the law for prosecution and imprisonment instead of just transferring them to a new location where they continue their abusive ways.

The "greatest persecution the church has ever endured", was something that was earned and will continue until the problem is directly addressed without apology or cover-up.