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	Bishop Tells Pope Church Must Recognize Failures By Philip Pullella Washington Post April 18, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/18/AR2010041801199.html Pope Benedict, on a trip to Malta overshadowed by the global church sex-abuse crisis, heard the island's leading bishop say on Sunday that the Catholic Church has to be humble enough to recognize its failures. Benedict, who turned 83 on Friday, celebrated a mass for tens of thousands of people in a dockside area built in the 17th century over underground silos used to store grain in cases of sieges. In his homily, the pope made no reference to the sexual abuse crisis, telling priests only to "fulfill the mission you have received." In contrast, the Archbishop of Malta, Paul Cremona, spoke directly about the abuse crisis which is sapping the church's credibility in Malta and beyond. In his address to the pope at the start of the mass, Cremona spoke of the need for "a church humble enough to recognize the failures and sins in its members." Cremona, with the pope listening on the same platform, also spoke of the need for "a Church which does not seek privileges." It was the second time in as many days that someone addressing the pope mentioned the sexual-abuse crisis. At his arrival on Saturday, Maltese President George Abela said priests sometimes "unfortunately go astray" and it was "the church and even the state's duty to work hand in hand" to prevent abuse and punish offenders "so that justice will not only be done but seen to be done." Ten Maltese men who say they were abused by three priests in a Catholic orphanage years ago have asked to meet the pope, who has met abuse victims on trips to the United States and Australia. POPE MAKES NO DIRECT MENTION So far on this trip, his first of five international visits planned for this year, the pope has made no direct reference to the worldwide crisis. Speaking to reporters aboard the plane taking him to Malta on Saturday, he said Roman Catholicism has been "wounded by our sins" but did not use the word "abuse."
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