Welt (Germany)
July 19, 2008
http://www.welt.de/english-news/article2229230/Papal_apologies_have_been_few_in_churchs_history.html
Papal apologies have been few in the long history of the Vatican, though Benedict XVI and his predecessor John Paul II in recent years have admitted errors by the church. Here are some examples:
– July 19, 2008: Says he is „deeply sorry for the pain and suffering" of victims of child sex abuse by clergy in Australia. Here is the relevant passage:
„Here I would like to pause to acknowledge the shame which we have all felt as a result of the sexual abuse of minors by some clergy ... in this country.
 |
| Pope Benedict XVI offered a historic full apology for child sex abuse by predatory priests, saying he was "deeply sorry" and calling for those guilty of the "evil" to be punished. |
„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.
„These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation.
„They have caused great pain and have damaged the Church's witness.
„I ask all of you to support and assist your Bishops, and to work together with them in combating this evil.
„Victims should receive compassion and care, and those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice.
„It is an urgent priority to promote a safer and more wholesome environment, especially for young people."
– April, 2008: Said he was „deeply ashamed" of the child sex abuse scandal in the church and that the issue had sometimes been „very badly handled" by church officials.
– September, 2006: Said he was „deeply sorry" for remarks in a speech that linked Islam with violence, triggering outrage in the Muslim world.
John Paul II
– 2001: During a trip to Greece, made a sweeping apology for wrongs committed by Roman Catholics against Orthodox Christians.
– 2001: Issued a formal apology to the indigenous peoples of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands for injustices perpetrated by Roman Catholic missionaries.
– 2000: Visiting a Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, said the church was „deeply saddened by the hatred, acts of persecution and displays of anti-Semitism directed against the Jews by Christians at any time and in any place."
– 2000: Asked forgiveness for sins of Catholics through the ages, including wrongs inflicted on Jews, women and minorities.
– 1999: Denounces persecution of Jan Hus, 15th century religious reformer and precursor of Protestantism who was burned at stake.
– 1998: In document on Holocaust, expresses remorse for cowardice of some Christians during Nazi persecution of Jews.
– 1995: During trip to Czech Republic, asks forgiveness for violence by Catholics against Protestants during 16th century Counterreformation.
– 1995: Issues document saying church is „truly sorry" for discrimination or mistreatment of women.
– 1992: Visiting Senegal, begs for forgiveness for Christians who were involved in the slave trade.
– 1992: Declares the church was wrong to condemn astronomer Galileo for maintaining Earth is not the center of the universe.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.