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From the CBC
Pope Francis demanded Friday that priests who have raped and molested children turn themselves in and vowed that the Catholic Church will "never again" hide their crimes.
Francis dedicated his annual Christmas speech to Vatican bureaucrats to abuse, evidence that a year of devastating revelations of sexual misconduct and coverup around the globe has shaken his papacy and caused a crisis of confidence in the Catholic hierarchy.
Francis acknowledged that the church had failed in the past to treat the problem seriously, blaming leaders who out of inexperience or short-sightedness acted "irresponsibly" by refusing to believe victims. But he vowed that going forward the church would "never again" cover up or dismiss cases.
"Let it be clear that before these abominations, the church will spare no effort to do all that is necessary to bring to justice whosoever has committed such crimes," he said.
COMMENT:-
Unless backed up by some positive action by the Vatican (such as turning over its files on abusive priests to the relevant law enforcement agencies), the Pope's "call" is likely to be just as effective as would be a "call" by the Mayor of Chicago for everyone who has murdered someone to turn themselves in to the CPD.
If the Vatican does NOT take those positive steps, then it should be held accountable as an "accessory after the fact" REGARDLESS of the financial impact on the RCC Inc..
'Never again': Pope Francis demands abusive priests turn themselves in
Pope Francis demanded Friday that priests who have raped and molested children turn themselves in and vowed that the Catholic Church will "never again" hide their crimes.
Francis dedicated his annual Christmas speech to Vatican bureaucrats to abuse, evidence that a year of devastating revelations of sexual misconduct and coverup around the globe has shaken his papacy and caused a crisis of confidence in the Catholic hierarchy.
Francis acknowledged that the church had failed in the past to treat the problem seriously, blaming leaders who out of inexperience or short-sightedness acted "irresponsibly" by refusing to believe victims. But he vowed that going forward the church would "never again" cover up or dismiss cases.
"Let it be clear that before these abominations, the church will spare no effort to do all that is necessary to bring to justice whosoever has committed such crimes," he said.
COMMENT:-
Unless backed up by some positive action by the Vatican (such as turning over its files on abusive priests to the relevant law enforcement agencies), the Pope's "call" is likely to be just as effective as would be a "call" by the Mayor of Chicago for everyone who has murdered someone to turn themselves in to the CPD.
If the Vatican does NOT take those positive steps, then it should be held accountable as an "accessory after the fact" REGARDLESS of the financial impact on the RCC Inc..