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| Benedict Confidante Acknowledges Abuse The Star April 1, 2010 http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5414318 AUSTRIA -- In a surprisingly strong attempt to make amends, a prominent Austrian cardinal has acknowledged church guilt in a sex abuse scandal involving Catholic clergy. During a sombre service in Vienna's famous St Stephen's Cathedral, Christoph Schoenborn, a close confidante of Pope Benedict XVI, also thanked victims for breaking their silence. Amid much media attention and an audience of about 3 000 people, Schoenborn said some in the church took advantage and destroyed the trust of children, were sexually violent and considered the image of the church most important. The strong language was contained in a confession he read together with Veronika Prueller-Jagenteufel, a theologian. "We, God's people, his church, together carry this guilt," they said in unison. Schoenborn, who serves as archbishop of Vienna, also openly addressed attempts to cover up abuse, saying silence "occurred far too often" in the past. "A lot has been pried open," Schoenborn said. "There is less looking away. But there is still a lot to do." |
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