MEXICO
Reuters
By Mica Rosenberg and Philip Pullella
LEON, Mexico | Sun Mar 25, 2012
(Reuters) – Pope Benedict’s first full day in Mexico was clouded by fresh allegations the Vatican hid evidence of sex abuse by one of the country’s most prominent Roman Catholic leaders for decades.
The authors of a new book say a trove of once-secret Vatican documents prove Church officials ignored complaints of drug use and molestation of seminarians by the late Father Marcial Maciel, founder of the Catholic order the Legionaries of Christ.
Adding to the criticism of the Church, victims of abuse by priests in Mexico came forward to seek an audience with Benedict, but said their calls have not been answered.
Church officials acknowledged in 2009, a year after Maciel’s death at the age of 87, that the charismatic Mexican cleric had led a double life, secretly fathering children and lavishly spending the generous donations of his followers.
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