3rdlead Pope Takes Strong Stance against Sex Abuse, Earth Times, May 11, 2010

3rdlead: Pope Takes "Strong Stance" against Sex Abuse

Earth Times
May 11, 2010

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/323108,3rdlead-pope-takes-strong-stance-against-sex-abuse.html

Lisbon - A statement by Pope Benedict XVI against paedophilia within the Catholic church at the start of a four-day visit to Portugal was seen by many analysts Tuesday as a new strong stance against the ongoing scandal.

The comments by the 83-year-old pontiff to journalists on a plane to Lisbon were seen as a clear statement against covering up cases of sex abuse, and expressed the need for the church to cooperate with civilian justice, theologist Anselmo Borges said.

"The biggest persecution of the church" did not come from "outside enemies, but is born from sin within church," Benedict said.

The church was in need to relearn penance, the pope said, explaining that forgiveness did not "replace justice."

The pope came to Portugal at a time when the Catholic Church has come under strong criticism over a widespread scandal involving revelations of sexual abuse by priests against children in several European countries.

The scandal has forced the resignation or suspension of several bishops and priests in Ireland, Belgium and most recently, the pontiff's native Germany.

On arrival at Lisbon's Figo Maduro military airport, Benedict stressed the importance of Christianity in the history of Portugal, a country where nearly 90 per cent of residents identify themselves as Catholics, but where church attendance continues to decline.

With the alleged apparition of the Virgin Mary to three Portuguese shepherd children in Fatima 93 years ago, "heaven itself was opened over Portugal," Benedict said in the presence of Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva, Prime Minister Jose Socrates and church leaders.

He dismissed the idea that religion only belonged to people's private lives, saying the church was "open to cooperating with anyone" who did not "marginalize ... the essential consideration of the human meaning of life."

Thousands of faithful cheered Benedict as he rode from the airport to the Apostolic Nunciature.

Some people cried because they were overwhelmed by emotion, while others waved handkerchiefs or displayed banners welcoming the pope. Some wore T-shirts with pictures of Benedict XVI.

Some of the faithful complained that the popemobile passed too fast and that they only got a fleeting glimpse of the head of the Catholic Church.

Relatively few people were seen near the presidential palace, where Benedict was due to pay a courtesy visit to Cavaco Silva, prompting some local people to comment that he appeared to be less popular than his predecessor John Paul II.

"With the previous pope, some people waited for the whole night to see him," an ice cream saleswoman named Eliane commented. "But nobody has come today so far," she added.

Security surrounding the visit was described as the tightest ever in Portugal. It included more than 8,000 security personnel, warplanes, a navy frigate, and a police anti-terrorism unit.

In the evening, Benedict was scheduled to celebrate a mass which was expected to draw up to 200,000 people in Lisbon.

Benedict's itinerary includes visits to Lisbon; the pilgrimage site of Fatima, about 120 kilometres north of the capital; and the country's second-largest city Porto.

The highlight of the trip will be the pope's visit on Wednesday to the Marian shrine of Fatima, marking the 93th anniversary of the first of a total of six alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three Portuguese shepherd children.

Benedict was expected to bring a message of encouragement to the economically troubled country, where unemployment is running at 10.5 per cent and the public deficit has hit 9.4 per cent.

The pope's visit met with some criticism, with hundreds of activists announcing they would distribute 28,000 condoms in Lisbon. Another group launched a music CD against the "excessive pomp and consensus" of the papal visit.

Portugal has liberalized abortion and divorce laws and parliament has given preliminary approval to the legalization of same-sex marriage, albeit without the right of adoption.