SYDNEY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict on Saturday apologized directly for the first time for sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy, but victims groups in Australia said they wanted action and not words. The pope, making some of his most explicit comments on the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the Church in several countries, also said unequivocally that those responsible should be brought to justice. Benedict made a last-minute addition to his prepared homily in St. Mary's Cathedral, adding one powerful and personal sentence -- using the word "I" three times -- the Vatican had hoped would satisfy victims groups. "Indeed, I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them that as their pastor I too share in their suffering," he said.
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict on Saturday apologized directly for the first time for sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy, but victims groups in Australia said they wanted action and not words.
The pope, making some of his most explicit comments on the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the Church in several countries, also said unequivocally that those responsible should be brought to justice.
Benedict made a last-minute addition to his prepared homily in St. Mary's Cathedral, adding one powerful and personal sentence -- using the word "I" three times -- the Vatican had hoped would satisfy victims groups.
"Indeed, I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them that as their pastor I too share in their suffering," he said.
He's resigning? He's firing a whole pile of cardinals and bishops? He's selling Vatican real estate to pay off lawsuits?
Church property is simply sold by one hand to the other. If a diocese is in sore need of liquidity, the Jesuits, for example, will buy the property.
It would be an ideal set-up to launder and recycle money. The Church might consider it as a golden opportunity.
no, lecturing us sinners about consumerism in his ferragamo pumps!
sheez ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
"In so many of our societies, side by side with material prosperity, a spiritual desert is spreading: an interior emptiness, an unnamed fear, a quiet sense of despair," the pontiff said.
We had a long summer evening discussion last night on the patio. Most of it was about how you could get people to replace religious beliefs with a simple moral code of neighbourliness that is at the core of most organized religions. There were no conclusions, but we did come up with a cracking concept for a TV series that could never be made. You can't be me, I'm taken
being an asshole brings bad luck.
fries with that?
ketchup? ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
people were superstitious before organising religions, methinks.
so i'm reaching out to them using a pre-religious wavelength.
older than god, older than that 'ole-time' religion even, lol ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
It's when the religious impulse becomes subverted to the purposes of political control that a lot of the nastier stuff comes out. keep to the Fen Causeway
an unnamed fear
Naming your fears makes them better? say calling them something like "the devil"? Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
There are two pukka recording studios that specialize in above the belt, below the neck MOR with joyful lyrics. You can't be me, I'm taken
So it's still a paedophile's life within the church, safe from justice or exposure.
Just don't be gay with grown-ups tho', that's a sin. Buggering kids isn't mentioned in the bible, so it's okay. keep to the Fen Causeway
