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Pope to Church: Pedophilia Was 'Badly Handled'

He urges bishops to 'foster healing' and work to improve trust

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 16, 2008 7:53 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Pope Benedict XVI had strong words for America's Roman Catholic bishops today, asserting that the clerical sexual molestation scandal had been "very badly handled" in many cases, the AP reports. "It is your God-given responsibility as pastors to bind up the wounds caused by every breach of trust, to foster healing, to promote reconciliation and to reach out with loving concern to those so seriously wronged," he said.

Benedict's speech marked his second mention of the scandal since landing in the US, and he made it clear he sees pedophilia in the church in relation to America's secular, hedonistic culture in general. "What does it mean to speak of child protection when pornography and violence can be viewed in so many homes through media widely available today?" he asked.

Pope Benedict XVI concurred with the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops today, saying that the US Church's response to the clergy sexual molestation scandal was badly handled.
Pope Benedict XVI concurred with the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops today, saying that the US Church's response to the clergy sexual molestation scandal was "badly handled."   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Pope Benedict XVI concurred with the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops today, saying that the US Church's response to the clergy sexual molestation scandal was badly handled.
Pope Benedict XVI concurred with the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops today, saying that the US Church's response to the clergy sexual molestation scandal was "badly handled."   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Pope Benedict XVI leads the celebration of the vespers with American bishops in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington this afternoon.
Pope Benedict XVI leads the celebration of the vespers with American bishops in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington this afternoon.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Pope Benedict XVI kisses the alter during Vespers in the Crypt of the United States at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with the bishops of the United States today.
Pope Benedict XVI kisses the alter during Vespers in the Crypt of the United States at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with the bishops of the United States today.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Pope Benedict XVI • Catholic Church • religion • child molestation • pedophile • culture • clergy abuse scandal • clergy • Catholics • bishop • Roman Catholicism • Pope Benedict's US visit

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