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Pope to Shun Boston on US Visit

Omission of city at center of church sex abuse scandal raises ire

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 14, 2007 7:52 AM CST

(Newser) – For his much-anticipated inaugural trip to the US this spring Pope Benedict XVI plans to visit the White House, the United Nations, the site of the World Trade Center—but not Boston, where the Church sex abuse scandal first erupted. The omission of Boston from the papal tour has infuriated victims of priest sexual abuse, reports Time.

Groups representing victims say the pope is avoiding the Catholic stronghold of Boston for fear of protests, and that his scheduled three days in New York show support for that city's archbishop, who, unlike his Boston counterpart, refused to release documents about accused priests. Church sources counter that the trip was never intended as a full US tour.

Pope Benedict XVI smiles as he is driven through the crowd at the end of his weekly general audience in St.Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007. Pope Benedict XVI was scheduled to meet with Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu after the weekly general audience. (AP...
Pope Benedict XVI smiles as he is driven through the crowd at the end of his weekly general audience in St.Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007. Pope Benedict XVI was scheduled to meet...   (Associated Press)
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he is driven through the crowd at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007. Pope Benedict XVI was scheduled to meet with Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu after the weekly general audience. (AP...
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he is driven through the crowd at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007. Pope Benedict XVI was scheduled to meet...   (Associated Press)
Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007.  (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)   (Associated Press)
Pope Benedict XVI caresses a baby as he is driven through the crowd at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007. Pope Benedict XVI was scheduled to meet with Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu after the weekly general...
Pope Benedict XVI caresses a baby as he is driven through the crowd at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007. Pope Benedict XVI was scheduled...   (Associated Press)
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