Looks like we Protestants know more about your pope that some Roman Catholics do.
In 2001, in his role as chief Inquisitor, Ratzinger authored the letter “Crimen Sollicitationis” which restated the requirement for secrecy regarding any accusations of sexual abuse made against any priest. He re-affirmed that anyone taking complaints outside the church (say, to local police authorities or parents) would be excommunicated.
The letter, sent to every bishop, was rightly viewed as a cover-up.
Ratzinger was then accused in a lawsuit of conspiring to cover up the sexual molestation of three boys by Roman Catholic clergy in Texas, but he quickly asked President Bush for diplomatic immunity against prosecution which was granted.
Same old, same old. Parents, you cannot say you haven't been warned.
One only sees what they want to see E
Let's see if that's the case:
In 2001, in his role as chief Inquisitor, Ratzinger authored the letter “Crimen Sollicitationis”
Strike one. Crimen Sollicitationis was written by Cardinal Ottaviani in 1962. As of 2001, it is no longer in effect, being replaced by Pope John Paul II's Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela. Cardinal Raztinger authored De delictis gravioribus in 2001. It says nothing about victim secrecy.
He re-affirmed that anyone taking complaints outside the church (say, to local police authorities or parents) would be excommunicated.
Strike two. The secrecy was required of the members of the tribunal, not the victims.
"The document dealt exclusively with the procedure to be followed in connection with a denunciation to the ecclesiastical authority of a priest guilty of solicitation in Confession or of similar acts. It imposed secrecy about the conduct of the ecclesiastical trial, not allowing, for instance, statements made during the trial by witnesses or by the accused to be published. But it did not in any way impose silence on those who were victims of the priest's conduct or who had learned of it in ways unconnected with the ecclesiastical trial.
"These matters are confidential only to the procedures within the Church, but do not preclude in any way for these matters to be brought to civil authorities for proper legal adjudication. The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People of June, 2002, approved by the Vatican, requires that credible allegations of sexual abuse of children be reported to legal authorities."[6]
Some interpret the secrecy about the procedure as a cover-up of scandalous conduct. This view was presented in a BBC documentary film Sex Crimes and the Vatican.[7] of 1 October 2006.
Others see it as aimed rather at the protection of all involved, the accused, the victim/denouncer and the witnesses, before the verdict was passed: "It allows witnesses to speak freely, accused priests to protect their good name until guilt is established, and victims to come forward who don’t want publicity. Such secrecy is also not unique to sex abuse. It applies, for example, to the appointment of bishops."[8]
Ratzinger was then accused in a lawsuit of conspiring to cover up the sexual molestation of three boys by Roman Catholic clergy in Texas, but he quickly asked President Bush for diplomatic immunity against prosecution which was granted.
Strike three. That's like accusing President Bush of war crimes for civilian casualties in Baghdad - pure political theater, for those who like that kind of thing.
In short, your information is incorrect and/or malicious agitprop. Nothing of substance at all.