Victim's Group Welcomes Pope's Resignation

9 News
February 11, 2013

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/02/12/01/00/victim-s-group-welcomes-pope-s-resignation

An Australian victim's group has welcomed Pope Benedict XVI's decision to resign, saying he has done little "to stop the reign of terror of child rapist priests".

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) Australia said victims hope he is replaced with a more co-operative pontiff.

"Victims welcome the resignation of a church official with immense power who has done so little to stop the reign of terror of child rapist priests and other religious," Nicky Davis of SNAP Australia said in a statement.

"In the eyes of many victims, Joseph Ratzinger has personally done much to add to the huge number of victims and exponentially increase the suffering of those already harmed.

"Simply replacing this pope with another official in the same mould will not deliver the radical change that is needed to stop these horrific crimes and their cover-up."

Ms Davis said with Australia's royal commission about to start it is important that Catholic officials replace the Pope with someone who will co-operate with legal requests for documents.

"It is high time the head of the Catholic Church ceases to hide child sex crimes behind a facade of diplomatic immunity dependent upon specious claims to be a sovereign state, not a religious institution."