Credibility gap: Pope needs to answer questions

[babylonsister]

(edited for copyright purposes-proud patriot Moderator Democratic Underground)


http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/credibility-gap-pope-needs-answer-questions

Credibility gap: Pope needs to answer questions
We now face the largest institutional crisis in centuries, possibly in church history
Mar. 26, 2010


The Holy Father needs to directly answer questions, in a credible forum, about his role -- as archbishop of Munich (1977-82), as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (1982-2005), and as pope (2005-present) -- in the mismanagement of the clergy sex abuse crisis.

We urge this not primarily as journalists seeking a story, but as Catholics who appreciate that extraordinary circumstances require an extraordinary response. Nothing less than a full, personal and public accounting will begin to address the crisis that is engulfing the worldwide church. It is that serious.

snip//

Time for answers

The focus now is on Benedict. What did he know? When did he know it? How did he act once he knew?

The questions arise not only about his conduct in Munich, but also, based also as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. A March 25 Times story, citing information from bishops in the United States, reported that the Vatican had failed to take action against a priest accused of molesting as many as 200 deaf children while working at a school from 1950 to 1974. Correspondence reportedly obtained by the paper showed requests for the defrocking of the priest, Fr. Lawrence Murphy, going directly from U.S. bishops to Ratzinger, then head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, now the Vatican secretary of state. No action was taken against Murphy.

Like it or not, this new focus on the pope and his actions as an archbishop and Vatican official fits the distressing logic of this scandal. For those who have followed this tragedy over the years, the whole episode seems familiar: accusation, revelation, denial and obfuscation, with no bishop held accountable for actions taken on their watch. Yes, there is a depressing madness to this story. Time after time, this is a story of institutional failure of the deepest kind, a failure to defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a failure to put compassion ahead of institutional decisions aimed at short-term benefits and avoiding public scandal.

[shraby]

1. Shouldn't what he did be called "aiding and abetting" a crime?

[babylonsister]

2. Possibly; that's why he needs to 'confess' to his role in this, if he

has one. If not, this shouldn't be a problem. His silence will be deafening.

[RainDog]

3. the church has no moral authority. it is an international PEDOPHILE RING.

this is a criminal enterprise that exists to perpetuate its own wealth at the expense of women and children around the world.

The pope and numerous bishops should be in jail for creating an international pedophile ring. they made its existence possible. they refused criminal investigations. they refused to hold those responsible who were FUCKING CHILDREN.

this is a criminal enterprise that should not be allowed to do business anywhere in the civilized world.

[BootinUp]

6. I think you outdid C. Hitchens with that one. nt

[RainDog]

7. truth hurts when you're a child fucker n/t

[StopTheNeoCons]

8. +1,000

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Ratzinger is a criminal and a bigot

This vile bag of scum travels the world slandering minorities in order to create a smokescreen for the vile agenda of his own organization. Credibility? He's got credibility like Charles Manson has credibility. Some call him 'Holy Father' as they come after their neighbor's rights.
This set of 'faithers' organized and came after the rights of millions of Americans, riding a moral high horse, and demanding discrimination to please the Moloch they worship.

[izquierdista]

5. Well, he knows everything

Remember, he is inflatable after all. And the way he has been blowing it, I can see this inflating a lot more before it's over.

[skepticscott]

9. NCR is so cute..and so pathetic

Just like all of those deluded and misguided still-Catholics who have this notion of changing the church "from the inside". The pope "needs to answer questions"? How utterly naive is that? He's the pope, not the president...he doesn't NEED to do anything he doesn't want to, since he is accountable to no one and nothing except (in theory) God Almighty in Heaven. He doesn't run for re-election, he can't be impeached and he is always right. What you see with him is what you get, now and forever.

[skepticscott]

10. Here's the reality of what we can expect from his "Holiness"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/28/pope-benedict-sexual-abuse-scandal