Pope: Church's own sins to blame in sex scandal

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By BARRY HATTON

LISBON, Portugal (AP) - In his most thorough admission of the church's guilt in the clerical sex abuse scandal, Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday the greatest persecution of the institution "is born from the sins within the church," and not from a campaign by outsiders.

The pontiff said the Catholic church has always been tormented by problems of its own making - a tendency that is being witnessed today "in a truly terrifying way."

"The church needs to profoundly relearn penitence, accept purification, learn forgiveness but also justice," he said.

"Forgiveness cannot substitute justice," he said.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20100511/D9FKS8R02.html

[Ian David]

1. Maybe if they'd at least allow priests to masturbate. n/t

[roguevalley]

13. nah, they'll go blind

[HockeyMom]

2. Church for DECADES has had a problem

with vocations, as in celebacy. Maybe if they allowed married priests, it solve help solve both the vocations and the pedophile priests; as in more "normal" men might join the priesthood.

[truthisfreedom]

6. They're far too neanderthal to allow priests marriage.

[DeSwiss]

3. Actions speak louder than words.

- K&R

[NanceGreggs]

4. In other words ...

... the PR people have finally convinced His Popitude that his previous schtick didn't work - so it's time to "act" penitent and concerned.

Too little - and waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too late.

[DeSwiss]

5. +1

[fascisthunter]

8. what I was thinking too

[struggle4progress]

7. ... quia peccavi nimis cogitatione verbo et opere ...

[dflprincess]

9. mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa...

[rug]

10. et omissióne

[Tailormyst]

11. Dear Mr. Pope: If you mean what you say then fire Cardinal Law

As long as he sits in a place of honor in Rome then anything the Vatican says is propaganda and bullshit meant to shut people up.

Unless the books are opened and the pedophile priests AND every single bishop or cardinal that covered it up are thrown out then NOTHING they say is any more then damage control.

[Stuart G]

12. So, now there is a problem and it is the Pope ....resign asshole. nt

[struggle4progress]

14. .

http://www.world-wide-art.com.nyud.net:8090/art/va/printjpgs/s/cschulz/goodgrief.jpg

[harry_pothead]

15. Better late than never.

A fine statement.