Posted on 04/04/2010 12:02:06 PM PDT by Zakeet
Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, the Catholic church's most joyous celebration, began with a senior cardinal defending Pope Benedict XVI from what he called "petty gossip" and hailing him for "unfailing" leadership and courage.
But the pontiff himself ignored accusations that he perpetuated a climate of cover-up for pedophile priests, even as sex abuse scandals threatened to overshadow his papacy.
The ringing tribute by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, at the start of a Mass attended by tens of thousands of faithful, marked an unusual departure from the Vatican's Easter rituals, infusing the tradition-steeped religious ceremony with an air of a papal pep rally.
Sodano's praise for Benedict as well as the church's 400,000 priests worldwide cranked up a vigorous campaign by the Holy See to counter what it calls a "vile" smear operation orchestrated by anti-Vatican media aimed at weakening the papacy and its moral authority.
The pontiff and many bishops have been assailed by accusations from victims of clergy sexual abuse that Benedict helped shape and perpetuate a climate of cover-up toward the crimes against children in parishes, schools, orphanages and other church-run institutions.
Victims and their advocates are demanding that Benedict take personal responsibility.
Yet, Sodano insisted, on Easter the faithful came to "rally close around you, successor to (St.) Peter, bishop of Rome, the unfailing rock of the holy church" amid the joy of Easter.
"We are deeply grateful to you for the strength of spirit and apostolic courage with which you announce the Gospel," said Sodano, who sought to assure Benedict that the scandals were not costing him credibility among his flock.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
We main stream media moguls have a duty to destroy the Catholic Church no matter what vile smear we have to manufacture in order get the job done ... and what better time to do this than Easter?
Another attack on the Pope? Move along, nothing new here. Jesus will be with the Church until the end of time. People fail, truth is everlasting.
Yes it is interesting that this world wide attack on the Church itself happened to co-incide with the most holiest of times.
Christ death and resurrection.
These hypocrits could care less about victims of abuse.
Should schools be closed due to teacher sexual abuse. The answer would be a resounding no, but the Church is open season. Not the individual criminals.
The AP sure hates roman catholics.
fwiw, the headline has changed a bit at the link.
What is this, media prejudice?
Johnny Suntrade
Right you are. Prolly got to much flack given the venom shown in the original.
Admin Moderator: Recommend you keep the original and add the current headline, "Vatican's Easter Mass infused with defense of pope" to the end.
/Zak
I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you!
Attack on BXVI, False!
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZDkxYmUzMTQ1YWUyMzRkMzg4Y2RiN2UyOWIzNDVkNDM=
Vile toads. They never once used this terminology while talking about Obama rallies.
The enemy is already confused and shall be defeated utterly.
Courage.
Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with Thee
Blessed art Thou among women
And blessed is the Fruit of Thy womb, Jesus
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners
Now and in the hour of our death
Amen
They support Kevin Jennings, but attack the POPE?
And are they in favor of homosexual scout leaders?
...and how do they feel about the "naughty teacher" ping list -- should such teachers by protected by their union, or not?
Cheers!
You noticed that interesting point. Anyone confronted on this issue might as well ask the interlocutor, “Do you think homosexuality is wrong? Do you think all sexual behavior involving people under 18 is wrong? No? So ... your point was ...?”
The only thing Obama does is hold pep rallies, but the AP never notices it.
That was the theme of our sermon today.
But the Church HAS been remiss in it’s handling of homo molesters in it’s midst. These priests that committed these acts are disgusting human beings and the Church could/should have defrocked them, had them arrested, and excommunicated them. Immediadely. They would have at least been acting in a manly and respectable fashion.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.