(Papal Mass at Nationals Park celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI/ Photo by Algerina Perna (Baltimore Examiner and Washington Examiner)
by Matthew Hay Brown
When the first U.S. visit of Pope Benedict XVI was announced, Catholics wondered aloud whether he would address the sex abuse scandal that erupted here in 2002.
It turns out the pontiff has much to say on the subject. First, there was the shame expressed to reporters aboard Shepherd One before his flight landed Tuesday at Andrews Air Force Base. Then came his address Wednesday to the nation's bishops - the group that has taken much of the criticism for the scandal.
Today, he raised the issue again during his homily at Nationals Park:
"I acknowledge the pain which the church in America has experienced as a result of the sexual abuse of minors," Benedict told the 45,000 who turned out for his first Mass. "No words of mine could describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse. It is important that those who have suffered be given loving pastoral attention. Nor can I adequately describe the damage that has occurred within the community of the Church. ...
"Today I encourage each of you to do what you can to foster healing and reconciliation, and to assist those who have been hurt," he said. "Also, I ask you to love your priests, and to affirm them in the excellent work that they do."
In a wide-ranging homily that amounted to his most expansive message to America yet, the pontiff also referred to "the injustices endured by the native American peoples and by those brought here forcibly from Africa as slaves."
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Comments
Oh puhleese! Can anyone think of anyone less relevant than the head of the protectorate of pedophiles? Except for maybe shrub?
Posted by: rncbs | April 17, 2008 7:56 PM
Anybody ever notice that most of the pedophile victime were little boys and not girls?
Posted by: Terry | April 17, 2008 9:24 PM
It's good to know IL Popo is a convert to Obama's campaign of Hope in America. Even the Holy Dad knows a winner.
Posted by: GW | April 17, 2008 11:31 PM
If anyone knows how easily children can be manipulated, it's a former member of Hitler Youth.
Posted by: Bubba | April 18, 2008 12:14 AM
What a hero, he acknowledges the pain!
What thousands of victims might like to know is what he is going to do about it.
Ratzinger was a busy part of the Catholic Church's treating child-molesting priests the way school boards treat incompetent teachers: just send them somewhere else and hope they don't cause more trouble and no one else complains.
As for the victims, thousands of them, Ratzinger was an active part of their being treated without love or compassion, being viewed as people with their hands out for settlements.
It is remarkable that this unpleasant old man, prancing around in silks and laces, has anything to say the press considers worth hearing.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | April 18, 2008 8:57 AM
It's wrong that Obama didn't walk out of his church when Rev. Wright gave some questionable sermons, but it is OK to remain a Catholic and keep giving your money to an organization that coddled and protected KNOWN pedophiles? I just don't get it.
Posted by: john | April 18, 2008 9:11 AM