RTE News
March 22, 2010
http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0322/abuse.html
IRELAND -- A Catholic support-group for victims of clerical sexual abuse has criticised Pope Benedict XVI for failing to give credit to secular agencies for uncovering abuse hidden by the church.
Voice of the Faithful Ireland says in the pope's weekend pastoral letter, he also ignored that, by giving excessive powers to bishops, the church had caused too many victims to be intimidated.
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| Pope Benedict XVI - Pastoral letter issued |
Voice of the Faithful's international network grew out of a meeting of 30 Bostonians in their parish during the abuse crisis in their diocese. Members describe themselves as mainstream Catholics.
In a statement, its Irish affiliate warmly welcomes aspects of Pope Benedict's pastoral letter - especially the recognition that a 'new vision is needed, to inspire present and future generations' here.
However, noting that Pope Benedict XVI blames secularism for weakening faith in Ireland, it criticises him for failing to give credit to secular agencies - such as the media, police and the civil courts - for uncovering abuse hidden by church authorities.
It calls for reforms to the church's internal law to bring about openness and accountability in how it is governed and to rid it of the culture of deference and secrecy that has caused so much disgrace, distrust and pain.
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