Pope 'deeply shaken' in meeting with sex abuse victims in Germany

[_Abyssinia]

Pope Benedict XVI met Friday with a group of people who had been sexually abused by clergy in his native Germany, where disenchantment with the Roman Catholic Church has grown in the wake of the scandal.

The meeting, which occurred at a seminary in Erfurt, came on the second day of the pontiff’s four-day visit to his homeland. Besides talking with victims of sexual abuse committed by priests and church personnel, he also met with people “who care for those injured by these crimes,” according to a statement from the Vatican press office.

“Moved and deeply shaken by the sufferings of the victims, the Holy Father expressed his deep compassion and regret over all that was done to them and their families,” the statement added. “He assured the people present that those in positions of responsibility in the church are seriously concerned to deal with all crimes of abuse and are committed to effective measures for the protection of children.”

The pope has had similar meetings elsewhere, in the face of outcries from many nations in Europe, North America and beyond criticizing the church for its handling of sexual abuse cases.

edition.cnn.com/2011/09/23/world/europe/germany-pope/?hpt=ieu_c2

 

[centurionguard]

Pope Benedict XVI met Friday with a group of people who had been sexually abused by clergy in his native Germany, where disenchantment with the Roman Catholic Church has grown in the wake of the scandal.

The meeting, which occurred at a seminary in Erfurt, came on the second day of the pontiff’s four-day visit to his homeland. Besides talking with victims of sexual abuse committed by priests and church personnel, he also met with people “who care for those injured by these crimes,” according to a statement from the Vatican press office.

“Moved and deeply shaken by the sufferings of the victims, the Holy Father expressed his deep compassion and regret over all that was done to them and their families,” the statement added. “He assured the people present that those in positions of responsibility in the church are seriously concerned to deal with all crimes of abuse and are committed to effective measures for the protection of children.”

The pope has had similar meetings elsewhere, in the face of outcries from many nations in Europe, North America and beyond criticizing the church for its handling of sexual abuse cases.

edition.cnn.com/2011/09/23/world/europe/germany-pope/?hpt=ieu_c2

Its very sad that sexual scandals within the Church is continuing to be a painful wound in the Church.

We need to pray and fast much to find healing in the Church.

 

[77stanthony77]

I say a prayer for Pope Benedict everyday. Today I will pray for the victims in germany, I know it is extremly hard for our dear pope.

 

[Marie5890]

The deepest and most painful wounds the Church ever experiences always comes from within. Inflicted by Her Own on Her Own.

And they are the hardest heal.

Judas’ betrayal of Our Lord with a kiss, I contend, caused Him far more pain and sorrow than then all the physical pain He suffered and endured from that point on (on a physical level only, not speaking of the spiritual)

JMO.

 

[JaMc]

With what we known about the damage sexual abuse to a child can do, and with the special position priests hold within the Church, I really don’t why the Pope does not simply decree latae sententiae excommunication for any priest who sexually abuses a child. Is this not every bit as evil as abortion or heresy, which do carry that penalty?

 

[St_Francis]

With what we known about the damage sexual abuse to a child can do, and with the special position priests hold within the Church, I really don’t why the Pope does not simply decree latae sententiae excommunication for any priest who sexually abuses a child. Is this not every bit as evil as abortion or heresy, which do carry that penalty?

Everybody knows and is horrified by 'the abuse of a child, which is also a mortal sin causing the death of grace in the soul. Not everyone understands the spiritual danger of abortion or heresy, or even striking the Pope. That is why the latter are criteria for excommunication latae sentitae and the former are not.

 

[JaMc]

Everybody knows and is horrified by 'the abuse of a child, which is also a mortal sin causing the death of grace in the soul. Not everyone understands the spiritual danger of abortion or heresy, or even striking the Pope. That is why the latter are criteria for excommunication latae sentitae and the former are not.

Well, the actions some bishops took in response to priests determined to have committed abuse (leave of absence, counselling/psychological treatment, re-assignment to another parish), kind of makes one wonder whether these bishops really did fully understand the “spiritual danger” of child sexual abuse by a priest. They seemed to view it as a more of a minor psychological issue which could be easily dealt with, rather than a gross violation and abuse of their priestly office.

Of course, the canonical penalty is the Pope’s call, and I’ll respect his decision. Just one of those “if I were Pope, I’d…” things.

 

[RobbyS]

Well, the actions some bishops took in response to priests determined to have committed abuse (leave of absence, counselling/psychological treatment, re-assignment to another parish), kind of makes one wonder whether these bishops really did fully understand the “spiritual danger” of child sexual abuse by a priest. They seemed to view it as a more of a minor psychological issue which could be easily dealt with, rather than a gross violation and abuse of their priestly office.

Of course, the canonical penalty is the Pope’s call, and I’ll respect his decision. Just one of those “if I were Pope, I’d…” things.

I think the scandal is the result of bishops and priests both being taken in by the pretensions of modern psychology. The sad truth is that a cleric who so abused his authority would have better off spiritually by being thrown into a cell than turned over for counseling by quacks.