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	Pope's Comments Fuel Debate about Direction of Church By Tom Beyerlein Dayton Daily News May 12, 2010 http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/nation-world-news/popes-comments-fuel-debate-about-direction-of-church-700882.html Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday, May 11, admitted the Roman Catholic Church's guilt in the clergy child sexual abuse scandal, but his statements left some local Catholics wondering where the church will go from here in dealing with the crisis. Responding to journalists' questions as he traveled to Portugal, the pontiff said, "The greatest persecution of the church does not come from the enemies outside but is born from the sin of the church. The church has a profound need to relearn penance, to accept purification, to learn on the one hand forgiveness but also the necessity of justice. And forgiveness does not substitute justice." The pope appeared to be distancing himself from other church officials who have said the news media has attacked the church in recent weeks with reports on deepening scandals in Europe, including Benedict's own handling of abuse cases when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. "It seems actually to be a pretty significant statement by the pope himself," said Sandra Yocum, who chairs the University of Dayton's religious studies department. "Where it's going to lead, I think we'll have to wait and see. "I think it's a positive statement from the pope in this very serious crisis," she said. She said Vatican officials have been sending "a very mixed sort of message" about where responsibility for the scandal lies, when the public wants a response that shows "care for victims, rather than much more focus on protection of clergy that have perpetrated this abuse." Dan Andriacco, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati, which includes the Miami Valley, said Benedict's statements are consistent with his earlier expressions of support for victims and condemnation of pedophile priests. He said Tuesday's remarks "should be absolutely no surprise to anybody who's paid attention" to the pope's record on the scandal. Kristine Ward of Kettering, who chairs the National Survivor Advocates Coalition, said Benedict's comments were short on specifics for meaningful change. Asked if the comments signal a turning point in the debate, Ward said, "Only the pope knows that, but hopefully it is. He's holding all the cards. "Words are still words, and they've come at a steep price. The church is under investigation by two governments — Ireland and Germany — not to mention the suffering of the victims. There is not still clear action, and only action makes the difference."
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