Priest Calls for Pope to Resign, Applauded at Mass

Mass. Rev. James Scahill says Benedict lied, gets standing ovations
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 13, 2010 9:21 AM CDT
Priest Calls for Pope to Resign, Applauded at Mass
In this April 7, 2010 file photo Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful during the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito, File)

One Massachusetts priest says Pope Benedict is lying when he says the Vatican hasn’t covered up the sexual abuse of children. In four sermons over the weekend, Rev. James Scahill called on Benedict to resign over the scandal, the Longmeadow Republican reports. “There were standing ovations at two Masses, and applause at the others,” he says, though he adds that one parishioner, “booed very boisterously and called me a heretic.”

The sermons earned a quick rebuke from his local bishop, but Scahill didn’t back down yesterday, telling ABC News that “the cover-up … has been systemic.” He says that even small parishes have known about the abuse for decades, so Benedict is almost certainly “not being truthful” when he professes ignorance. He said he wouldn't back down from his statements, even though he feared the church would punish him. “I’ve only spoken the truth.” (More Pope Benedict XVI stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X