BishopAccountability.org
	Papal Visit: Should the Pope Say Sorry for Church Sex Abuse? Sunday Times July 5, 2008 http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23973475-948,00.html WORLD Youth Day organisers have privately urged the Pope to issue an apology to victims of church sex abuse. The plea has been made in a letter compiled by the event's co-ordinators from the nation's bishops and sent directly to the Vatican. The bishops called on the pontiff to make a historic statement on sexual abuse in a list of suggested ``live" issues he could address in his Australian speeches. Should the Pope say sorry? The Vatican has not yet responded to the list, which also suggests the Pope could talk about Aboriginal reconciliation. "There were a number of suggestions about the issues the bishops thought the Pope should address," World Youth Day co-ordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher said. "But I think there's a common feeling among church leaders here that he should say something about sexual abuse, as he did during his recent tour of America. The bishops take it very seriously. "We've had no indication back from the Vatican about this. But it is obvious that there is wide support for the Pope to make a statement on sexual abuse." Several senior church sources yesterday said the push within the Catholic church for the Pope to issue a statement on pedophile priests was mounting. The call follows an unprecedented $20,000 nationwide campaign by the nation's 66 Catholic bishops apologising for ``hurt" caused by the church. The statement, in joint pastoral letters from the bishops, said: ``We ask your forgiveness if you have been hurt in some way through the church." Australia's leading Catholic, Cardinal George Pell, has also urged the Pope to issue an apology to Australians sexually abused by priests. "What he says is his business, but I would hope the whole issue will be dealt with appropriately," Cardinal Pell said. ``It's a significant issue." Senior church sources said the Pope was likely to use World Youth Day to issue a major statement and would be aware of their wishes for him to talk about pedophile priests. The Melbourne-based group Broken Rights this week received a letter stating the Vatican was considering its request for an apology to sex-abuse victims. The Pope is due to arrive in Australia on Sunday for three days of rest before the start of World Youth Day in Sydney. The event will conclude on July 20 with a papal Mass. Bishop Fisher said 120,000 pilgrims from overseas and about 100,000 from Australia were expected to attend. He said organisers were not concerned about planned protests by activist groups. "These groups tend to turn out at World Youth Days and they have a right to be there," he said. "It doesn't worry us."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.