Pope speaks out about sex abuse scandals

Associated Press ^ | March 21, 2002 | By VICTOR L. SIMPSON - Associated Press Writer

[MeekOneGOP]

	Posted on Thu, Mar. 21, 2002
	Pope speaks out about sex abuse scandals By VICTOR L. SIMPSON Associated Press Writer VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II on Thursday broke his silence on the sex abuse cases rocking the Roman Catholic Church, saying the "grave scandal" was casting a "dark shadow of suspicion" over all priests. In an annual message to priests worldwide, the pope said "as priests we are personally and profoundly afflicted by the sins of some of our brothers who have betrayed the grace of ordination." He said they had succumbed "to the most grievous forms" of what he called, using the Latin phrase, "mystery of evil." "Grave scandal is caused, with the result that a dark shadow of suspicion is cast over all the other fine priests who perform their ministry with honesty and integrity and often with heroic self-sacrifice," the pope said. John Paul said the Church "shows her concern for the victims and strives to respond in truth and justice to each of these painful situations." It was the first time the pope publicly addressed the issue since widescale accusations of sexual misconduct by priests surfaced in the United States in recent months. The accusations have led to the resignation of one bishop, from Palm Beach, Fla., and tarnished the reputation of Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston for failing to take action against a child-molesting priest. The problem has worldwide implications for the Church. In January, the Catholic Church in Ireland agreed to a landmark $110 million payment to children abused by clergy over decades. More than 20 priests, brothers and nuns have been convicted of molesting children. Sexual abuse cases involving cover-ups have also been reported in England, France and Australia, among other countries. John Paul has been described as particularly saddened by sexual harassment allegations leveled against the archbishop of Poznan in the pope's native Poland. Archbishop Juliusz Paetz, who worked with John Paul at the Vatican and was sent by him to Poland in 1982, denied the allegations in a letter read in parishes last Sunday. For years, the Vatican viewed such reports as attempts to discredit the church or as part of an orchestrated campaign against celibacy. At a Vatican news conference to present the pope's letter, Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos said John Paul was "supportive" of bishops and priests in dioceses shaken by the scandal. But he refused to answer specific questions about the sex scandal, reading a written statement that defended the Church's efforts to uphold morality and punish wrongdoers within their ranks. He cited a study showing that 3 percent of American clergymen had the "tendency" to abuse minors and that 0.3 percent were pedophiles. He said there were no comparative studies for other categories "including parents and relatives."

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© 2001 startelegram and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
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[ThomasMore]

Fast and pray that this purging of the Church in America be THOROUGH, no matter how long it takes.

I whole-heartedly agree. AMEN!

[ThomasMore]

I say GO FOR IT!

So do I!!

I hope the Vatican cans them all. Donna Steichen has a chapter in her book UnGodly Rage called "Back to the Catacombs". So be it!

[ThomasMore]

Let those of other faiths sling stones at us from the walls of their glass houses.

AMEN!

We can't worry about what others say. They already have lots to say about this issue. We need a good ole fashion house cleaning; and that takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

[ThomasMore]

Rembert Weakland's retirement date is April 2, 2002, a mere 12 days away!

Hey, BBG
There are so many others out there like him, they just aren't as vocal. I'd rather be able to know my adversary. How many closet Weaklands are there? It's frightening to think about the correct answer.

Worse though, are the orders. I read that the Oratorians are nearly all flaming! And when I debate the Dominicans, there are few who are orthodox and many who disagree with the Church's teaching on homosexuality.

[LouD]

I gleefully anticipate the replacement of Bishop Weak-knees, the socialist's and relativist's friend...

Did you know that in the wake of 9/11 he forbade the playing of any music even remotely perceived as patriotic, like "God Bless America" during Mass anywhere in the Diocese?

Just the latest in the long list of reasons to despise him...

[ThomasMore]

isn't really about pedophilia and prepubescent children, but homosexuality and teens.

BINGO!

The psychiatric community calls it ephebophilia. 95-98% of all reported child molestation cases are this type. They are incorrectly categorized under the word pedophilia but are really ephebophilia. I think the gay agenda of the liberals has a lot to do with this verbal engineering.

What's problematic is that the root cause is never exposed, so therefore, can never be fully corrected. I'm doing my best to expose this root cause -- HOMOSEXUALITY!!!

[redhead]

Click here to see Rembert's Rondele rembert's rondele

[MeekOneGOP]

bump!

[ThomasMore]

C'mon redhead, you should've had a Barf Alert on that one. I have to go change my white shirt now. LOL! What did Jesus say? Matt. 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

[NYer]

Fast and pray that this purging of the Church in America be THOROUGH, no matter how long it takes.

This is more widespread than America. A similar lawsuit was just settled in Ireland in the amount of 110 million dollars.

The catholic church has navigated worse waters without capsizing. Perhaps it's time to rewind the Name of The Rose tape for a review of the Inquisition. One thing is certain. Jesus said: "Though art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against you".

It's Spring ... time to clean house. Out of bad often comes good. Perhaps this is just the type of scandal needed to restore the priesthood. May God bless and guide the Pope as he navigates these difficult waters.

(On a personal note, whatever happened to the Bookmark option on the Free Republic navigation bar? I can't figure out how to save these stories. Thanks.)

[Evangelium Vitae]

(On a personal note, whatever happened to the Bookmark option on the Free Republic navigation bar? I can't figure out how to save these stories. Thanks.)

It is on the bottom of the actual article in the first post. Took me awhile to figure that one out myself!

[ThomasMore]

(On a personal note, whatever happened to the Bookmark option on the Free Republic navigation bar? I can't figure out how to save these stories. Thanks.)

It's next to the Abuse Button at the end of each posted Article!

[BlessedBeGod]

Worse though, are the orders. I read that the Oratorians are nearly all flaming!

I hear the same thing about the Sacred Heart Priests.

And yes, I do think it's scary not to know about those who keep silent. However, it's somewhat easy to get a good idea of where they stand when you read how they voted at Bishops' conferences, or what they said during the conference per a transcript. Very revealing.

[Bob J]

Tonight on Radio Free Republic we have "On Target" with host John Bender! Tonight, Johns guest is Charles Cunningham, Director of Federal Affairs for the NRA!

Following John at 7pm/10pm, we have a special edition of RFR hosted by ALOHA RONNIE! AR, a Veteran of the Battle of IA DRANG-1965 / Landing Zone Falcon (3 mins out from Landing Zone X-Ray), who will be reviewing "We Were Soldiers"! AR will taking lots of calls!

To listen in while you FReep, go to theFRN Homepage and scroll down the left side for the RadioFR button!

[BlessedBeGod]

Conservative! It is also considered one of the more manly!

Now that really, really scares me. I thought there was some hope with the more conservative ones.

[BlessedBeGod]

Does anyone have a picture of that rondel on the wall (usually reserved for portraits of the saints) of the newly ravaged cathedral that contains a portrait of none other than ol' rembert weakling himself?

I saw that. I couldn't believe it. On second thought, yes, I could.

[BlessedBeGod]

Click here to see Rembert's Rondele rembert's rondele.

Funny. He looks years younger. Maybe he could make a go of it for another year or two. (NOT!)

[hope]

Thanks xzins for a thoughtful, heartfelt post. May I just add a prayer for those who are hurting and looking for answers.

Dear Father God, in your precious Son's Name I come before your thrown and humbly ask that those who seek You find You quickly and also find comfort in You. Show them that things will get better and that You are the God of understanding and healing and that Your ear is attentive to them for You have every hair on their heads numbered. And Lord for those who would take pleasure in watching what is happening right now I ask that you give them a heart of mercy towards those who have been hurt.

In Jesus Mighty Name! AMEN!