Don’t confuse Benedict’s detractors with facts.
How dare you!
How dare you!”
Stop. The Church handled the sexual abuse scandal very poorly. As well, the sick priests involved were the responsibility of the Church. Yes, morals of our society have become worse over the years...But, that being said, do not try and confuse those issues of poor society morals with the sick and twisted priests which in many instances the Church was aware of, and pretty much turned a blind eye. On one hand he is correct that coinciding with the sexual abuse by the priests was a down turn in morals among society, but that is not the issue he should be addressing...He sides step same by discussing society problems as a whole, and not what transpired in the Church, waht caused it, what they are doing to ensure it does not happen again, and what they are doing to help those harmed.
This is an unpleasant issue the Church to this day has tried to side step, many reasons relating to civil legal issues, but none the less...for you to believe that people who acknowledge the Church's position in playing down these issues as detractors to the pontiff is ridiculous. I suppose if something had happened to your child at the hands of a priest maybe you would think otherwise.
The industry I am in has afforded and provided me information on many instances of the abuse these twisted individuals participated in to the degradation and assault of the children they were to shepard. The Church, per the advice of counsel for the most part, has had to keep silent as to the assaults, the cover ups. Any public statements could and would hurt any defenses to same. Unfortunately, it destroys the Church's image and standing among it's flock. As well, for the Pontiff to try and confuse social issues with this ugly predator priest problem is ridiculous and off point. He almost would have been better off saying nothing and just meesting with those affected directly privately.