Pope begs forgiveness for 'sins of priests'
Source: Agencies |
June 12, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
POPE Benedict yesterday begged forgiveness from God and victims of child sexual abuse by priests and promised that the Catholic Church would do everything in its power to ensure that it never happens again.
Benedict made his comments, some of his clearest ever about the scandal that has swept the Church around the world, during a homily in St Peter's Square at the Vatican to conclude the Roman Catholic Church's "Year of the Priest" celebrations.
Speaking to some 15,000 priests, he said the year that was to have celebrated the priesthood had been marred because "the sins of priests came to light, particularly the abuse of the little ones."
He added: "We too insistently beg forgiveness from God and from the persons involved, while promising to do everything possible to ensure that such abuse will never occur again."
The Church has been rocked by fresh revelations of past sexual abuse by priests in a number of places, particularly in the US and Europe.
The pope himself has come under scrutiny over a case in which a pedophile priest who was to have undergone therapy was instead allowed to resume duties when the pope was archbishop of Munich in his native Germany more than 30 years ago.
In his sermon, the 83-year-old pope, who met abuse victims in the United States, Australia and Malta and has decried "sin within the Church," also promised that the Church would enact stronger controls on choosing men who enter the priesthood.
"In admitting men to priestly ministry and in their formation we will do everything we can to weigh the authenticity of their vocation and make every effort to accompany priests along their journey, so that the Lord will protect them and watch over them in troubled situations and amid life's dangers."
Benedict made his comments, some of his clearest ever about the scandal that has swept the Church around the world, during a homily in St Peter's Square at the Vatican to conclude the Roman Catholic Church's "Year of the Priest" celebrations.
Speaking to some 15,000 priests, he said the year that was to have celebrated the priesthood had been marred because "the sins of priests came to light, particularly the abuse of the little ones."
He added: "We too insistently beg forgiveness from God and from the persons involved, while promising to do everything possible to ensure that such abuse will never occur again."
The Church has been rocked by fresh revelations of past sexual abuse by priests in a number of places, particularly in the US and Europe.
The pope himself has come under scrutiny over a case in which a pedophile priest who was to have undergone therapy was instead allowed to resume duties when the pope was archbishop of Munich in his native Germany more than 30 years ago.
In his sermon, the 83-year-old pope, who met abuse victims in the United States, Australia and Malta and has decried "sin within the Church," also promised that the Church would enact stronger controls on choosing men who enter the priesthood.
"In admitting men to priestly ministry and in their formation we will do everything we can to weigh the authenticity of their vocation and make every effort to accompany priests along their journey, so that the Lord will protect them and watch over them in troubled situations and amid life's dangers."
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