Critics accused him of trying to shift blame away from the Church
In a rare essay, Benedict, who for 23 years headed the Vatican doctrinal office that has been widely criticized for its handling of sexual abuse cases, argues that the sexual revolution led some to believe that paedophilia and pornography were acceptable.The 91-year-old, who in 2013 became the first pope in six centuries to resign, also bemoaned that some Catholic seminaries had an openly gay culture and thus failed to train priests properly.
Abuse scandals in Ireland, Chile, Australia, France, the United States, Poland, Germany and elsewhere have since led the Church to pay out billions of dollars in damages to victims and forced it to close parishes. Many cases date back decades before the 1960s. The impetus for the essay, titled “The Church and the Scandal of Sexual Abuse,” was a summit of senior bishops that Francis held in February to discuss the crisis, he said.
Massimo Faggioli, professor of theology at Villanova University, called it “a caricature” of the Church in the post-Vatican II period, “with all its ingenuities and some tragic mistakes.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mormon church reverses anti-LGBT policies, says children of gay parents can be baptizedThe president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has generated buzz in his first year by becoming one of the most visible, active and decisive presidents in modern church history and implementing a number of big changes, including repealing rules directed at same-sex couples and their children.
Read more »
Former Harper cabinet minister Rob Nicholson hanging up his federal political hatRob Nicholson, the longest-serving Conservative member of Parliament, isn't running for re-election in the fall.
Read more »
Former New York Rangers coach Vigneault will guide Canada at worlds - Sportsnet.caAlain Vigneault will coach Team Canada at the world men's hockey championship next month in Slovakia.
Read more »
WHL, former players battle over confidentiality in minimum-wage lawsuit - TSN.caA fight is unfolding in the Western Hockey League minimum-wage class-action lawsuit over the privacy of current and former players who pursue a claim against the league for minimum wage, back pay and overtime.
Read more »
Former Afghanistan hostage Joshua Boyle was angry, bossy after release, witnesses tell courtCaitlan Coleman’s sister, JoAnn Rotenberry, visited the couple shortly after their return and recalled that Boyle always seemed angry and frustrated
Read more »
Quenneville sees similarities between Panthers, former Blackhawks teams - Sportsnet.caDale Tallon and Joel Quenneville created magic once with the Chicago Blackhawks and they aim to do it again with the Florida Panthers.
Read more »
Alberta election odds 'solidly' in Jason Kenney's favour: Tom MulcairFormer federal NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that Rachel Notley will not serve another term as Alberta’s NDP premier, 'barring some very unforeseen circumstance.'
Read more »
Former Burns Lake mayor to plead guilty: B.C. prosecution serviceB.C.’s Crown prosecution service says the former mayor of Burns Lake intends to plead guilty to charges he faces at a court appearance next month.
Read more »
RCMP’s embrace of civil forfeiture letting money launderers off the hook in B.C., experts sayPeter German, a retired senior Mountie examining the issue in British Columbia, found there are only five officers in the province working for the Federal and Serious Organized Crime unit investigating offences such as money laundering, 20 officers (or 80 per cent) shy of the mandated total
Read more »