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Pope's 'unspeakable' abuse shame
Source: Agencies |
September 19, 2010, Sunday
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POPE Benedict XVI said yesterday he was ashamed of the "unspeakable" sexual abuse of children by priests, telling the British faithful during Mass in Westminster Cathedral that he was deeply sorry and hoped the church's humiliation would help victims heal.
Benedict also said he hoped the church would be able to use its contrition to purify itself of the "sins" of its ministers and renew its commitment to educating the young.
Benedict confronted the abuse scandal head-on during his homily, which was broadcast live on British television, a day after six people were arrested in an alleged terrorist plot against him. They remained in custody yesterday.
The sex abuse scandal has clouded Benedict's four-day state visit. Polls have indicated widespread dissatisfaction in Britain with the way Benedict has handled the crisis, with Catholics nearly as critical of him as the rest of the population.
The pontiff issued his comments in the seat of English Catholicism amid speculation that he might meet British abuse victims, and as abuse survivors and others opposed to his visit prepared a march later in the day in London's Hyde Park to demand more accountability.
"I express my deep sorrow to the innocent victims of these unspeakable crimes, along with my hope that the power of Christ's grace, his sacrifice of reconciliation, will bring deep healing and peace to their lives," Benedict said.
He acknowledged the shame and humiliation all the faithful had suffered as a result of the scandal and said he hoped "this chastisement will contribute to the healing of the victims, the purification of the church and the renewal of her age-old commitment to the education and care of young people."
He asked the faithful to show concern for victims and solidarity with priests. Among those in the cathedral were former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, a recent convert to Catholicism, and his wife, Cheri.
On his way to Britain, Benedict acknowledged the church had failed to act decisively enough to stop the abuse and prevent it recurring.
"We don't need a pope who is sad about crimes. We need a pope who will prevent crimes," said Peter Isely of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
Benedict went ahead with a busy day yesterday, his third in Britain, as six men arrested in an alleged terror attempt against him remained in police custody. Police staged a pre-dawn raid on Friday on a garbage depot and arrested five street cleaners; a sixth person was arrested later. Police said they were detained under the Terrorism Act.
Benedict also said he hoped the church would be able to use its contrition to purify itself of the "sins" of its ministers and renew its commitment to educating the young.
Benedict confronted the abuse scandal head-on during his homily, which was broadcast live on British television, a day after six people were arrested in an alleged terrorist plot against him. They remained in custody yesterday.
The sex abuse scandal has clouded Benedict's four-day state visit. Polls have indicated widespread dissatisfaction in Britain with the way Benedict has handled the crisis, with Catholics nearly as critical of him as the rest of the population.
The pontiff issued his comments in the seat of English Catholicism amid speculation that he might meet British abuse victims, and as abuse survivors and others opposed to his visit prepared a march later in the day in London's Hyde Park to demand more accountability.
"I express my deep sorrow to the innocent victims of these unspeakable crimes, along with my hope that the power of Christ's grace, his sacrifice of reconciliation, will bring deep healing and peace to their lives," Benedict said.
He acknowledged the shame and humiliation all the faithful had suffered as a result of the scandal and said he hoped "this chastisement will contribute to the healing of the victims, the purification of the church and the renewal of her age-old commitment to the education and care of young people."
He asked the faithful to show concern for victims and solidarity with priests. Among those in the cathedral were former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, a recent convert to Catholicism, and his wife, Cheri.
On his way to Britain, Benedict acknowledged the church had failed to act decisively enough to stop the abuse and prevent it recurring.
"We don't need a pope who is sad about crimes. We need a pope who will prevent crimes," said Peter Isely of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
Benedict went ahead with a busy day yesterday, his third in Britain, as six men arrested in an alleged terror attempt against him remained in police custody. Police staged a pre-dawn raid on Friday on a garbage depot and arrested five street cleaners; a sixth person was arrested later. Police said they were detained under the Terrorism Act.
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