Pope 'obstructed' sex abuse inquiry - Ratzinger ordered bishops to keep allegations secret

[NNN0LHI]

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

Confidential letter reveals Ratzinger ordered bishops to keep allegations secret

Sunday April 24 2005

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.

[ananda]

1. Yep. That Maledict is..

.. a piece of work all right.

I guess he and his compadre Bush
are holding hands in all their
Nazi happiness.

[acmavm]

2. Run out that stature of limitations.

<snip>

"... keep the evidence confidential for up to 10 years after the victims reached adulthood."

[DCKit]

3. Allowing marriage or "Teh Gay" marriage, God forbid....

Would mean that the church would have to deal with issues of inheritance and their costs in (living) salaries would skyrocket.

Somehow I don't think they mind a few pedophiles and the other sexually active priests of every other persuasion have done a pretty good job of keeping it on the downlow. However, celibacy is not a natural condition, and it's just begging for all sorts of problems.

Not that I'm defending Ratzo - he should be in court defending his actions and should never have been elected Pope. I wonder if * calls him "Ratzo".

[wildbilln864]

4. k&r! nt

:grr: