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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Pope lashes out at Irish Catholic Church child abusers

Posted on Monday, February 08, 2010 at 05:05 PM

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Pope Benedict XVI has warned that the dangers of pedophilia still exist in the Church.

He made the comments before he meets Irish bishops next week to discuss the scandals in Ireland that have resulted in four archbishops stepping down.

In a clear reference to the Irish situation, Benedict, speaking of the imperative to protect children at all costs, stated that "Jesus' harsh words in the Bible about those who harm children should commit everyone to never lowering the level of respect and love."

He acknowledged that "unfortunately, in a number of cases, some of its (the Church) members acted in contrast to this commitment."

Benedict is meeting bishops from Irish dioceses to discuss the Murphy Commission Report into abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese, which led to the resignations.

The Murphy Report found that bishops had "obsessively" covered up child abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese from 1975 to 2004, and operated a policy of "don't ask, don't tell."

The report unleashed a torrent of criticism of the cover-up. Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, who had been appointed by the Pope in part to clean up the mess, moved swiftly and decisively to fire those bishops named in the cover-up. However, victims groups say many unexamined cases still remain in other dioceses.

The Vatican later ordered several leaders of the Irish Catholic Church to come to Rome, where Benedict expressed "outrage, betrayal and shame" over the abuse.

The Pope will write a pastoral letter to the people of Ireland over Easter outlining steps that will be taken in future to protect children from abusers.

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Intercessor | Mar 04, 2010, 05:33 PM EST

Sorry, but excuse me!!!!!! The Pope supposedly said, " . . . some of it's [the RCC's] members acted in contrast to this commitment." WHAT? Why not stop beating around the bush and simply say, "Some priests, nuns, bishops, archbishops, cardinals AND the former Prefect of the CDF, the Congregation for Doctrine and Faith, acted in contrast to this commitment [to Jesus Christ]! The Pope should fall on his knees and beg forgiveness for trying to white-wash the whole Pedophilia Scandal.

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kickstar | Mar 03, 2010, 04:19 PM EST

LOL LOL Benedict expressed "outrage, betrayal and shame" over the abuse. This from the man who wrote the game plan of how to clergy could extricate themselves from abuse in case someone threatened to blow the whistle....Give me a Break. Can this be the Author of "Crimen Sollicitationis"??

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rdwhearty | Feb 11, 2010, 11:43 AM EST

About time he took a srong stand !!!!!

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jacersisityourself | Feb 10, 2010, 08:02 PM EST

Let's wait and see what Pope Benedict the 16th has to say (he's the sixteenth Pope whose chosen the name Benedict, shows how enduring the Popery is, much longer than complaints against it). No surmising now, please by gutter press... this man, with the Pope name of Benedict (Benedict is Latin.. Bene Dict... meaning speaks well) will not only be speaking to Irish Catholics; he'll be speaking to the whole world. It's a weight for him to carry; we await to carry.

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McNamara31 | Feb 10, 2010, 07:24 PM EST

The Vatican has lost it's moral compass and this Pope has no credibility.

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Carroll09 | Feb 10, 2010, 06:49 PM EST

It was actually 4 serving or former auxiliary bishops who gave their resignations-not archbishops.Only one has so far been accepted;that of Bishop Murray of Limerick.Secondly the Murphy Report-while I don't deny the horrific crimes detailed in it-does not say that there was a coverup from 1975-2004.That was the period investigated by it,but it clearly states that 1995/96 were definite turning points in the Archdiocese.Unfortunately,this turning point did come too late for many...

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Derrylass627 | Feb 10, 2010, 04:24 PM EST

Very sad that it took the Vatican so long to do the right thing. Heads should have rolled 30 years ago! It's a problem all over the world. No wonder numbers of Catholics are falling. I agree with the other comments.

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docmikey | Feb 10, 2010, 12:53 PM EST

What is the Pope ging to do about Cardinal Law? Does the Pope's outrage apply to the Cardinal's cover-ups in Boston?

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Advocate | Feb 10, 2010, 11:12 AM EST

Yahweh/God made people as sexual beings. For a church to require that a person never marry and have sex with one's spouse is un-natural! It's against our makeup and is wrong!

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missspook1994 | Feb 10, 2010, 10:57 AM EST

What else is the Catholic Church hiding? Why are women still being made second class citizens in this male dominated society? The Catholic church is still holding to old beliefs that go back to the Fifthteenth century. Birth control is now a necessity.

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philkennedy | Feb 10, 2010, 10:45 AM EST

I understand Pope Benedict held very high positions in the Vatican prior to becoming Pope. I find it hard to believe that he didn't know what was going on in Ireland & the States regarding the cover up of child abuse.

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garrettb | Feb 10, 2010, 10:42 AM EST

It is hard to believe that Rome didn't know about this problem long ago. Rome has ears for everything that threatens them on doctrine, and they must have had information on abuse. The Pope is far too late and places all the blame away from himself and his predecessor.

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mrkennedy | Feb 10, 2010, 09:58 AM EST

The Pope should come over to the U.S.and meet with the Cardinals & Bishops to have them reveal what action they had or are undertaking with regards to the priests, brothers and nuns who violated children. How many were simpily transferred elsewhere instead of being excommunicated from the church?

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DLW12183 | Feb 10, 2010, 09:35 AM EST

This did not only happen in Ireland it happened worldwide and has been public knowledge for years. Why did the church continue to fight the truth until now. Yes it is a small number but one is to many to ignore.

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barneyjo | Feb 09, 2010, 12:01 PM EST

So history is supposed to expunge the Catholic Church in Ireland for generations of broken lives, broken bodies and worst of all, broken souls. Do you SERIOUSLY!! believe that these crimes can be excused so easily? May God help you if you do!!

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