That was the point of Ratzinger's letter to the bishops -- to remind them of the secrecy that was to continue to surround any sexual abuse accusations; to remind them that the victim and every one involved with any sexual abuse claim was sworn to keep their mouth shut until 10 years after the victime reached the age of 18.
It's pretty astounding Roman Catholic apologists apparently miss what actually transpired. The RCC was about to be prosecuted as an entity and the pope in particular as obstructing justice. They are not stupid. The words of Crimen Sollicitationis are damning. Any private corporation putting out that document would be behind bars for decades. So what does Rome do? Rome issues a few bulletins and has RC apologists mouth a few platitudes saying that "of course we didn't mean to obstruct justice; of course children should go to the police with their accusations of sexual assault by priests...of course we want to get to the bottom of these terrible crimes...yadayadayada."
And nothing changes.
Because if that were true, the pope would have sent out a letter, not like the one he did where he reaffirmed Crimen Sollicitationis, but instead a letter which clearly and unambiguously rescinded, nullified and erased for all time the pitiful and illegal restrictions put upon the victims in Crimen Sollicitationis.
Keep defending the indefensible. It shows where the heart of the RCC resides.
Because if that were true, the pope would have sent out a letter
When you're an expert in Vatican affairs, you get back to me, 'kay?
Thanks for the pings.
I can’t keep up well with all this but I appreciate the pings.