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Vatican: Recounting of sexual abuse and coverups are now "petty gossip"

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Bluebear Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:16 PM
Original message
Vatican: Recounting of sexual abuse and coverups are now "petty gossip"
VATICAN CITY — Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, the Catholic church's most joyous celebration, began with a senior cardinal defending Pope Benedict XVI from what he called "petty gossip" and hailing him for "unfailing" leadership and courage.

But the pontiff himself ignored accusations that he perpetuated a climate of cover-up for pedophile priests, even as sex abuse scandals threatened to overshadow his papacy.

The ringing tribute by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, at the start of a Mass attended by tens of thousands of faithful, marked an unusual departure from the Vatican's Easter rituals, infusing the tradition-steeped religious ceremony with an air of a papal pep rally.

Sodano's praise for Benedict as well as the church's 400,000 priests worldwide cranked up a vigorous campaign by the Holy See to counter what it calls a "vile" smear operation orchestrated by anti-Vatican media aimed at weakening the papacy and its moral authority.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hin7j5X-DUbfHrWw9x-gHVZ0DiIAD9ESCU780
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SpiralHawk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:18 PM
Response to Original message
1. Pope Pettyphile XXXX (R)
Edited on Sun Apr-04-10 04:24 PM by SpiralHawk
Pope Dude has got him a wicked bad case of Republicon Family Values.

Fer sure.

Know him by the company he keeps: Olde Connecticut Pretend-Texan PrettyPreppy AWOL-Coke-Sniffer My-Pet-Goat 9/11-whimp Borrow-and-Spend Faux 'Conservative' FAILboy hisself...

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/04/16/pope_bush_narrowweb__300x433,0.jpg
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otohara Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:21 PM
Response to Reply #1
4. LOL
funny.

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RKP5637 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:20 PM
Response to Original message
2. Always a rationalization and an attempt to delude the world with a bunch of spin. n/t
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cutlassmama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:21 PM
Response to Original message
3. I'm sure the people who were moleted don't think it's "petty gossip".
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Rex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:26 PM
Response to Original message
5. Go ahead and call it that - Hell awaites all those that deny the truth.
So, in the end rotting in Hell for eternity must sound good for the whole bunch and they obviously know with their mockery of crimes against God, they will end them up in Hell. All the rapests and the people who covered it up, Hell...yup better learn how to doggy paddle.

Have fun with your 20k to 40k days fools. Eternity is a lot longer.

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rcrush Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:26 PM
Response to Original message
6. Does a Bear shit in the woods? And does the Pope make the world safer for pedophiles?
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KILL THE WISE ONE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:28 PM
Response to Original message
7. molesting is not accurate, these boys were RAPED
these Priest are not molesters they are RAPIST.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:31 PM
Response to Original message
8.  Neil Bush,& Ratzinger co-founders Swiss ecumenical foundation.
( from my files..story no longer exists online I don't think..link no longer works)


www.nynewsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ny-wochar214226829apr21,0,2092802,print.story

NEWSDAY, Thursday, April 21, 2005

THE NEW POPE BENEDICT XVI
Neil Bush, Ratzinger co-founders
President's younger brother served with then-cardinal on board of relatively unknown ecumenical foundation

BY KNUT ROYCE AND TOM BRUNE
WASHINGTON BUREAU
April 21, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Neil Bush, the president's controversial younger brother, six years ago joined the cardinal who this week became Pope Benedict XVI as a founding board member of a little known Swiss ecumenical foundation.
The charter members of the board were all well-known international religious figures, except for Bush and his close friend and business partner, Jamal Daniel, whose family has extensive holdings in the United States and Switzerland, public records show.
The Foundation for Interreligious and Intercultural Research and Dialogue was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1999 to promote ecumenical understanding and publish original religious texts, said a foundation official.
Besides then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, founding board members included Rene-Samuel Sirat, the former chief rabbi of France; Jordan's Prince Hassan, a Muslim dedicated to religious dialogue; the late Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, another prominent Muslim; Olivier Fatio, director of the Institute of the History of the Reformation; and foundation president Metropolitan Damaskinos, a Greek Orthodox leader.
Gary Vachicouras, a theologian and foundation official in Geneva, would not explain in a telephone interview yesterday why Bush, who has no clear public connection to religious causes, was on the first board.
"He was interested at that particular time," said Vachicouras of Bush. But like some other initial board members, Bush is no longer involved, Vachicouras said. Ratzinger also left a few years ago and was replaced by Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, who is responsible for ecumenical relations for the Vatican, said Vachicouras.
Still active is Daniel, a Syrian American who has family active in the Orthodox Church in Geneva, said Vachicouras. "This is an Orthodox lay person," he said.
Neither Bush, now president of the educational software company Ignite! Learning, based in Austin, Texas, nor Daniel returned calls for comment.
In his highly publicized divorce last year, Bush revealed he and Daniel are co-chairs of Texas-based Crest Investment Co., which pays him $60,000 a year for consulting. Recently, Crest Investment officials used Bush's name as a reference in cutting an exclusive deal with Texas officials on construction of a liquid natural gas storage facility that will guarantee Crest payments of at least $2 million a year, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Bluebear Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:45 PM
Response to Reply #8
12. Whoa.
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Shallah Kali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:59 PM
Response to Reply #8
15. It is still accessable via Archive.org
Edited on Sun Apr-04-10 05:06 PM by Shallah Kali
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.nynewsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ny-wochar214226829apr21,0,2092802,print.story


also in 2005

http://74.125.45.132/search?q=cache:Su-FNHFDudEJ:www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,169909,00.html+%22incompatible+with+the+United+States%27+foreign+policy+interests.%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

U.S. Says Pope Immune From Molestation Lawsuit

Tuesday, September 20, 2005


ROME — The U.S. Justice Department has told a Texas court that a lawsuit accusing Pope Benedict XVI (search) of conspiring to cover up the sexual molestation of three boys by a seminarian should be dismissed because the pontiff enjoys immunity as head of state of the Holy See.

Assistant U.S. Attorney General Peter Keisler said in Monday's filing that allowing the lawsuit to proceed would be "incompatible with the United States' foreign policy interests."

There was no immediate ruling from Judge Lee Rosenthal of the U.S. District Court for the southern district of Texas in Houston. However, U.S. courts have been bound by such "suggestion of immunity" motions submitted by the government, Keisler's filing says.

A 1994 lawsuit against Pope John Paul II (search), also filed in Texas, was dismissed after the U.S. government filed a similar motion.


a similar article from a non-fox source: http://www.beliefnet.com/News/2005/12/Judge-Dismisses-Pope-From-Sex-Abuse-Suit.aspx
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 05:14 PM
Response to Reply #15
17. Thank you..I couldn't get the link to work in my files and I didn't have time to do further research
Edited on Sun Apr-04-10 05:16 PM by flyarm
thanks for pulling that up..I will add to my old file!!

and the new one you found.

seems all the pedophiles stick together don't they??
I remember when this pope was being chosen the Bush's were in their glory ..and so vocal about who they wanted to be pope..it made me sick then..because i was astounded by their concern and elation of this pope..when GWB had been so dismissive of his own church over his war of lies..so I began digging then...

No wonder this pope let GWB go into the Vatican Catacombs ..where no one is supposed to go ..especially a non catholic! ( does anyone else remember that?)

the whole Opus Dei and these child abusers make me sick to my stomach!

Do remember MKULTRA and the Franklin coverup and Scandals...and the Church Commission investigation of Child abuse at the Boys House orphanage..in Nebraska..

and Larry King http://www.educate-yourself.org/cn/franklincoverupexcerpt.shtml

And FATHER FLANNIGAN'S BOYS HOUSE in Omaha Neb.

And Johnny Gosch ...

I am a now non practicing Catholic..went to Catholic school and all..and today I refused to celebrate Easter..I have stayed home in protest for the children.
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Shallah Kali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 05:31 PM
Response to Reply #17
19. Have you seen this article?
http://web.archive.org/web/20050507143929/http://context.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/04/29/120.
Global Eye

Buried Treasure

By Chris Floyd
Published: April 29, 2005

But between his sessions of bouncy-bouncy with trafficked women, Neilsy was also sitting down with hard-line cleric Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the former soldier for Nazi Germany now translated to glory as Pope Benedict XVI. The two men were board members of an obscure Swiss institute ostensibly devoted to "interfaith dialogue." Although the organization did have some prominent ecumenical figures on the board, none of them could say exactly why pimp-daddy Neilsy was invited to join, Newsday reported.

Perhaps there's a clue in the group's incorporation. Dunn & Bradstreet lists the supposedly nonprofit foundation as a "management trust," designed for "purposes other than education, religion, charity or research." The group's spokesman says this designation was a "mistake," and anyway, the institute is hastily being "re-launched" with a "new focus" on its religious mission. But a cynic -- i.e., anyone with the slightest acquaintance of Bush business practices -- might think that a "management trust" masquerading as a religious charity would be an excellent place to launder money or park assets away from the taxman's prying eyes.

Meanwhile, Ratzinger spent his time on the Swiss board trying to bury the Vatican's massive pedophilia scandal, the London Observer reported this week. In a secret 2001 letter, he ordered Church officials to prevent police from learning about abuse allegations -- a theological innovation more commonly known in the United States as "obstructing justice." Given this criminal high-wire act, perhaps the good cardinal thought it prudent to cultivate some personal ties with a presidential sibling.

Whatever Neilsy and Das Panzerkardinal were up to in Switzerland, Ratzinger repaid their camaraderie with a decisive intervention in brother George's 2004 election, issuing a fatwa that essentially condemned any Catholic voting for John Kerry to eternal hellfire. With the Vatican's iron hand on the scales, Bush reaped an extra six percent of the Catholic vote -- a huge boost in a tight race.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 05:41 PM
Response to Reply #19
21. I have a story about the letter i just posted here:
Edited on Sun Apr-04-10 05:43 PM by flyarm
from my files..

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/apr/24/children.childprotection

Pope 'obstructed' sex abuse inquiry
Confidential letter reveals Ratzinger ordered bishops to keep allegations secret


Jamie Doward, religious affairs correspondent
The Observer, Sunday 24 April 2005 09.58 BST

Pope Benedict XVI faced claims last night he had 'obstructed justice' after it emerged he issued an order ensuring the church's investigations into child sex abuse claims be carried out in secret.
The order was made in a confidential letter, obtained by The Observer, which was sent to every Catholic bishop in May 2001.

It asserted the church's right to hold its inquiries behind closed doors and keep the evidence confidential for up to 10 years after the victims reached adulthood. The letter was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was elected as John Paul II's successor last week.

Lawyers acting for abuse victims claim it was designed to prevent the allegations from becoming public knowledge or being investigated by the police. They accuse Ratzinger of committing a 'clear obstruction of justice'.

The letter, 'concerning very grave sins', was sent from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican office that once presided over the Inquisition and was overseen by Ratzinger.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I may have read your article..I don't remember..too much stuff in my mind files...I am just going through my " computer " files ( which are extensive ) right now looking for old articles on this..
I remember keeping lots of this info back when this guy was made pope and prior to that because, I do remember at the time wondering why the Bush's were so connected to this guy, and wanted him to be chosen pope..what was obvious to me then ..so badly..they truely wanted this guy..when many catholics wanted the cardinal from South America..
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #19
22. I was posting yesterday about what this pope did to Kerry right before the election in 2004
Edited on Sun Apr-04-10 05:50 PM by flyarm
I was a delegate for Kerry in Fla..and i posted about it yesterday ..that this pope said Kerry could not take communion..but this pope supported Bush in a way because he never condemned the illegal war..the Depleted uranium..and napalm being used..I was posting it because there are young people here that don't know that info.

We must expose all these bastards for who and what they really are!

I call this pope..Pope Ratbastard!
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SpiralHawk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 06:29 PM
Response to Reply #8
23. Slippery Silverado Neil Bush -- another exemplar of...
Republicon Family Values.

OMG - the rot is so far-reaching.
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Better Believe It Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:32 PM
Response to Original message
9. So the churches own documents are only "petty gossip"!
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amborin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:34 PM
Response to Original message
10. pope's latest anti-women, anti-glbt behavior:
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cliffordu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:35 PM
Response to Original message
11. AH, the stench of desperation from an organized crime family.
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The Blue Flower Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:48 PM
Response to Original message
13. Use of 'gossip' provides insight
I've been struck at how church officials have repeatedly described the uproar as "gossip." It suggest to me that gossiping about the sick behavior is exactly what the church boys in charge did when they heard about it. The Pope is letting slip to the world what their response has been over the years among themselves.
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MadMaddie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 04:58 PM
Response to Original message
14. Ahhh the ole marginlizing of the victims and the crimes
Keep digging...
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felinetta Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 05:01 PM
Response to Original message
16. I think they have their own Frank Luntz making nonsensical talking points.
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malaise Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 05:20 PM
Response to Original message
18. The spin and arrogance won't work this time
Fuck all those who covered up and continue to cover-up for the pedophiles.
This is not going away anytime soon.
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flyarm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 05:36 PM
Response to Original message
20. This pope wrote a cover up letter in 2001!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/apr/24/children.childprotection

Pope 'obstructed' sex abuse inquiry
Confidential letter reveals Ratzinger ordered bishops to keep allegations secret


Jamie Doward, religious affairs correspondent
The Observer, Sunday 24 April 2005 09.58 BST

Pope Benedict XVI faced claims last night he had 'obstructed justice' after it emerged he issued an order ensuring the church's investigations into child sex abuse claims be carried out in secret.
The order was made in a confidential letter, obtained by The Observer, which was sent to every Catholic bishop in May 2001.

It asserted the church's right to hold its inquiries behind closed doors and keep the evidence confidential for up to 10 years after the victims reached adulthood. The letter was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was elected as John Paul II's successor last week.

Lawyers acting for abuse victims claim it was designed to prevent the allegations from becoming public knowledge or being investigated by the police. They accuse Ratzinger of committing a 'clear obstruction of justice'.

The letter, 'concerning very grave sins', was sent from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican office that once presided over the Inquisition and was overseen by Ratzinger.
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