"We ... insistently beg forgiveness from God and from the persons involved, while promising to do everything possible to ensure that such abuse will never occur again," he said before the white-clad priests from around the world.
"In admitting men to priestly ministry and in their formation we will do everything we can to weigh the authenticity of their vocation and make every effort to accompany priests along their journey," Benedict vowed.
For comparison, see this article: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2532443/posts
“We ... insistently beg forgiveness from God and from the persons involved, while promising to do everything possible to ensure that such abuse will never occur again,”
So, let me get this straight, the representative of God here on earth begs forgiveness from people? I thought he was infallible.
Defrock Cardinal Law and then ask for forgiveness.
When have all the Protestant ministers or teachers who have sexually abused children ever PUBLICLY asked for forgiveness?
Give the Catholic Church credit!
This Protestant appreciates your apology, believes your sincerity, and will continue to pray for the Church.
Good for him. Glad to see some responsibility being taken.
The greatest tragedy here is that this behavior reflects not only on the priests involved, the Catholic heirarchy, or the Catholic Church ... but on Christ and His followers (Catholic and non-Catholic alike).
As much as we on FR like to highlight the differences ... the secular world does not distinguish between a Catholic and a Baptist. We are all Christians, and, as such, our behavior and the behavior of Christian leadership reflects on Christ and His church (in all denominations).
There are anti-Christians throughout the world who will endlessly seize on this opportunity to malign Christ ... and it is OUR fault for giving them the opening to do so.
SnakeDoc
Clearly a hit piece against the Roman Catholic Church. < sarc>