I feel very sorry for the victims of the abuse that went on for DECADES and the fact that they have had to live with this for the greater part of their lives in silence and in pain. When they had the courage to speak up, they met a cold wall of disbelief. I truly pray that the victims will go through the process of inner healing. Sadly, he did not specifically speak of the form of punishment.
Excerpt from the report:
His message, in a long-awaited, eight-page pastoral letter to Irish Catholics, seemed couched in strong and passionate language. But it did not refer directly to immediate disciplinary action beyond sending a special apostolic delegation to investigate unspecified dioceses and religious congregations in Ireland. Moreover, it was, as the Vatican said it would be, focused particularly on the situation in Ireland, even as the crisis has widened among Catholics in Ireland, Austria, the Netherlands and Germany.
“You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated,” the pope told Irish victims and their families. ...
Nowhere in the letter did Benedict address the responsibility of the Vatican itself. Many victims’ groups have criticized the Vatican for not recognizing the depth and scope of the abuse crisis sooner. Nor did he use the term punishment, or spell out any consequences for clergy or bishops who had not upheld canon or civil law. Indeed, he laid blame firmly with Irish Catholic leaders.
“I can only share in the dismay and the sense of betrayal that so many of you have experienced on learning of these sinful and criminal acts and the way church authorities in Ireland dealt with them,” he said. Addressing a section of his letter to abusers, the pope said they must “answer for it before Almighty God and before properly constituted tribunals” urging them to pray for forgiveness, “submit yourselves to the demands of justice, but do not despair of God’s mercy.” He did not specify the nature of the tribunals. CLICK HERE to read more.
Please leave a comment if you wish to share your thoughts or views. Thanks. This evening, let us remember in our prayers the victims of this abuse in Ireland and other parts of the world. Take care and have a restful evening.
edward Dear MWS,
I share your grief and sadness. It also brought back to my mind memories of the sexually abused child I had met a few years ago. The lost, confused and fearful state she displayed is still fresh in my memory.
Why? The evil that men do? What drives these seemingly good and godly people to do such things? The world is not safe anymore when such crimes can occur in the pious sanctity of a holy institution. As parents we have to be on a constant vigilance. We need to, there is no other choice at all. Its better to be safe than sorry.
Take care.