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	LI Catholics Praise Pope's Comments on Sex Scandal By Brandon Bain Newsday October 30, 2006 http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lipri304953485 oct30,0,715296.story?coll=ny-linews-headlines Many Long Island Catholics were pleased with Pope Benedict XVI's remarks in which he called clerical sex abuse cases in the Catholic Church "egregious crimes" that had damaged the church. "I'm glad he decided to come out to address this," said Al Basile, who with his wife, Mary Ann, was on their way to celebrate Mass at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre yesterday. Others said it was long overdue. "It's about time," said Jeffrey Grant, who had just attended Mass. In an attempt to "rebuild confidence and trust," Benedict, who has rarely spoken openly about sex abuse cases, on Saturday addressed a group of bishops from Ireland. Benedict addressed only Ireland's crisis, where Mass attendance has dwindled following several church sex scandals. Still, many Long Island churchgoers felt the pope's comments were a step in the right direction in repairing the Catholic church's moral standing. Earlier this month, two Catholics alleged that priests had sexually molested them from the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The pair confronted Bishop William Murphy after his monthly Mass to request private meetings to discuss their case. "It's ruined a lot of people's lives," said Mary Ann Basile of Rockville Centre, who was pleased with the pontiff's remarks. "It didn't dampen our faith." Joseph McAree, who has attended St. Agnes for 42 years, said he was also pleased with the pope's message, but said the Catholic Church had already properly addressed its sexual abuse cases. "I'm tired of hearing it, because I think the church took care of it. They just won't let it die," he said. "There'll always be new cases. I think it's been handled very well by the church." Grant, who recently converted from Judaism to Catholicism, said he felt at home in the church. But he added he would hate to think that something could happen to his 7-year-old son Jacob. "If you don't feel safe," he said, "I don't think people are going to go to church."
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