He’s already apologized for that statement - said something about not being able to express himself properly. I think that was over a week ago.
Statement of Michael P. Warsaw, President and Chief Executive Officer of EWTN Global Catholic Network regarding Father Benedict Groeschel:
The recent comments regarding clerical sexual abuse of minors made by Father Benedict Groeschel to a news editor of the National Catholic Register should never have been published. In no way do those comments reflect the views of the Register or EWTN. It should have been obvious to the editor that Father Benedict’s physical condition and mental clarity have deteriorated and that the comments were completely inconsistent with his life’s work and witness. We apologize that these remarks were published and ask for forgiveness for this error.
To regular viewers of EWTN, it has been evident for some time that Father Benedict’s health has been declining. For more than a year, the Network has been in discussions with both Father and his Community about his capacity to continue hosting Sunday Night Prime. This is the reason that the program moved from a live to a pre-recorded format last year. In more recent months Father Benedict’s decline has accelerated. After consultation with EWTN and the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Father Benedict has decided that it is now time to step away from the program. The Sunday Night Prime program will continue and will be hosted by other priests of the CFR community.
Father Benedict has led a life of tremendous compassion and service to others and his spiritual insights have been a great gift to the EWTN family for many years. We are profoundly grateful to him and assure him of our prayers. At the same time, we ask our EWTN family to pray for all those who have been affected by this painful situation and in particular those who have been victims of sexual abuse.
Monday, September 03, 2012
This isn’t an indecent that requires an apology(at least not to us, many to the clergy, but not to us). He did express himself clearly. This is what he believes. The problem is that he is supposed to know to keep his beliefs secret. It attracts attention because some people suspect these beliefs are common in the priesthood, but most priests know not to let the rest of us know what they really think.
“He’s already apologized for that statement - said something about not being able to express himself properly. I think that was over a week ago.”
Excusing child molestation cannot be absolved with an “I’m sorry”.
In doing so you are excusing making excuses for child molestation.
Legitimate questions of “Did this guy molest anyone” can be raised, and at the very least should be investigated by those who actually care about the issue and identifying victims of this attitude, whatever the reason for it being expressed.