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  Local Clergy Sex Abuse Victim Talks about Pope's Visit

KGTV
April 16, 2008

http://www.10news.com/news/15905131/detail.html

Video: Clergy Abuse Victims React To Pope Remarks

SAN DIEGO -- Large crowds gathered in Washington, D.C., to greet Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday. It was the first full day of the Pope's visit to the U.S., it was also his birthday.

President and Mrs. Bush greeted the Pope at the White House, along with more than 13,000 guests. The Pope said he hopes his presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the church in the United States.

Earlier in the day the Pope told American Roman Catholic leaders that the clergy sex abuse scandal had sometimes been very badly handled.

While Pope Benedict XVI expressed remorse for the scandal that has produced more than 13,000 sexual abuse victims and cost the church more than $2 billion, many victims are saying it's not enough.

Heidi Lynch carries a picture of herself that was taken four decades ago, as a reminder.

"I still keep this with me because the whole thing was, we were sitting in the bankruptcy court as adults but we were really talking about very small children," Lynch said, referring to the 4 ?-year court battle she and 143 other sexual abuse victims waged against the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. It ended last September with a nearly $200 million settlement.

"Money wasn't the real reason why I came forward," she said; Lynch said she did it to spark change.

As Pope Benedict makes his first U.S. appearance, Lynch says she's still waiting.

"For the past few days I've been feeling kind of bad because I've seen him on the TV; I've seen the Roman Catholic churches and what I see is wealth and power and tradition, and I don't see anything changing."

Lynch said the Pope's expression of remorse for the Church's sexual abuse scandal is just words; she wants action.

Various victims' organizations requested the Pope or his representatives meet with them during the Pope's visit. They are still waiting for a response.

 
 

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