Pope Apologizes for Church Sex Abuse, Reuters, July 18, 2008

Pope Apologizes for Church Sex Abuse

Reuters
July 18, 2008

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSSYD1805020080719

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict on Saturday apologized directly for the first time for sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy, but victims groups in Australia said they wanted action and not words.

A woman kneels before Pope Benedict XVI (R) as he lights a candle she is holding at a World Youth Day evening vigil at Randwick horse racing track in Sydney July 19, 2008.
Photo by Daniel Munoz

The pope, making some of his most explicit comments on the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the Church in several countries, also said unequivocally that those responsible should be brought to justice.

Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges thousands of World Youth Day pilgrims at the end of an outdoor evening vigil at Randwick horse racing track in Sydney July 19, 2008.
Photo by Daniel Munoz

Benedict made a last-minute addition to his prepared homily in St. Mary's Cathedral, adding one powerful and personal sentence — using the word "I" three times — the Vatican had hoped would satisfy victims groups.

Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges thousands of World Youth Day pilgrims at an outdoor evening vigil at Randwick horse racing track in Sydney July 19, 2008.
Photo by Will Burgess

"Indeed, I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them that as their pastor I too share in their suffering," he said.

Acknowledging the "shame which we have all felt," he called sexual abuse of minors an "evil" and added that "those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice".

Pope Benedict XVI (R) is assisted across stage at Randwick horse racing track in Sydney during a World Youth Day evening vigil in Sydney July 19, 2008.
Photo by Daniel Munoz

But minutes after he spoke, victims' groups said it was not enough and an anti-pope protest was held as some 250,000 young pilgrims in Sydney for World Youth Day celebrations marched to a suburban racetrack for an evening prayer vigil with the pope.

Pope Benedict XVI (C) acknowledges thousands of World Youth Day pilgrims at an outdoor evening vigil at Randwick horse racing track in Sydney July 19, 2008.
Photo by Will Burgess

"Sorry is not enough. Victims want action, not just words," said victims' group Broken Rites, which has been pushing for an open and accountable system of investigating abuse claims. They say the Church in Australia continues to try to cover up abuse.

"A remote apology does not carry anywhere near the weight as a personal, direct apology," said Anthony Foster, whose two daughters were raped by a Melbourne priest.

Pope Benedict XVI raises a cross on stage at Randwick horse racing track in Sydney during a World Youth Day evening vigil July 19, 2008.
Photo by Mick Tsikas

"This is only an apology, it is only words, it doesn't commit all the resources of the Church to this problem ... he needs to meet with victims and victim support groups to understand what is required," Foster said.

"NO POPE" PROTEST

Around 1,000 protesters marched against Church teachings on sexual morality. Some chanted: "Pope is wrong, put a condom on," and threw condoms into the air as young pilgrims marched across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge to the vigil site.

Pope Benedict XVI (C) acknowledges thousands of World Youth Day pilgrims at an outdoor evening vigil at Randwick horse racing track in Sydney July 19, 2008.
Photo by Will Burgess

On pilgrim was arrested for punching an anti-pope protester in the face.

The pope confronted sexual abuse in the Church in the United States during a visit there in April, meeting victims and vowing to keep pedophiles out of the priesthood.

World Youth Day pilgrims hold candles at an outdoor evening vigil, attended by Pope Benedict XVI, at Randwick horse racing track in Sydney July 19, 2008.
Photo by Daniel Munoz

But his words in Australia were stronger than those he used in the United States, where the biggest of the scandals broke in 2002 and where Boston Cardinal Bernard Law resigned in disgrace that year.

Bishops in the United States and elsewhere were discovered to have moved clergy who had sexually abused minors from parish to parish instead of defrocking them or handing them to authorities.

In the United States alone, dioceses have paid more than $2 billion to settle suits with victims, forcing some dioceses to sell off properties and declare bankruptcy.

A participant in a World Youth Day evening vigil with Pope Benedict XVI raises a torch at Randwick horse racing track in Sydney July 19, 2008.
Photo by Will Burgess

The Catholic Church in Australia has paid millions of dollars in compensation, but has capped individual payments to tens of thousands of dollars, with many payments undisclosed due to confidentiality settlements. Victims say they are inadequate.

Participants in a World Youth Day evening vigil with Pope Benedict XVI walk on stage with torches at Randwick horse racing track in Sydney July 19, 2008.
Photo by Will Burgess

After praying with the pope at the vigil the crowd of young people prepared to spend the chilly night outdoors ahead of the culminating event of the celebrations — a Mass on Sunday.

The 81-year-old pope, who appears to be holding up well despite the long trip, leaves for Rome on Monday.