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Pope 'Ashamed' by Priest Sex Abuse

Pontiff promises to make sure it won't happen again

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 15, 2008 11:01 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Pope Benedict XVI said today he is "deeply ashamed" by the priest sex-abuse scandal that caused a crisis of faith in the US, and he vowed that the church "will absolutely exclude pedophiles" from the priesthood, the AP reports. "We will do whatever is possible so that this does not happen in the future," the Pope said in English on the plane flying him to the US.

"It is more important to have good priests than many priests," said the pontiff, who answered four questions submitted in advance and vetted by Vatican officials. "We will do everything possible to heal this wound."

Pope Benedict XVI, right, walks past an Italian carabinieri guard as he boards an Alitalia jet dubbed Shepherd 1 en route to Washington, April 15, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI, right, walks past an Italian carabinieri guard as he boards an Alitalia jet dubbed "Shepherd 1" en route to Washington, April 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
Pope Benedict XVI and former Italian Premier Romano Prodi are seen prior to boarding a plane bound for Washington, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport, Tuesday, April 15, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI and former Italian Premier Romano Prodi are seen prior to boarding a plane bound for Washington, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport, Tuesday, April 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and BishopAccountability.org participate in a news conference and vigil.
Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and BishopAccountability.org participate in a news conference and vigil.   (AP Photo/William B. Plowman)
Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and BishopAccountability.org participate in a vigil to release a list of U.S. bishops who have been publicly accused of sex abuse and call on the pope to take action, Sunday, April 13, 2008 in Washington.
Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and BishopAccountability.org participate in a vigil to release a list of U.S. bishops who have been publicly accused of sex abuse and call on...   (AP Photo/William B. Plowman)
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Pope Benedict XVI • Catholic Church • sexual abuse • clergy abuse scandal • priest sex abuse • Pope Benedict's US visit

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