U.S. singer stuns Vatican audience by urging church to 'repent'

Published: 2003-12-15

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- U.S. pop singer Lauryn Hill stunned church officials at a Vatican Christmas concert when she told them to "repent" and spoke of the pain of those abused by priests. Hill's unexpected lecture came during the taping Dec. 13 of the annual concert in the Vatican's audience hall, attended by cardinals, bishops and about 6,000 others. Pope John Paul II was not present. Before performing two songs, Hill said she wanted to read a message and launched into a verbal critique of those who have placed their trust in church institutions instead of God. According to Italian news agencies, she said the biggest mistake people make is to "worship people when we need to be praying to God." She said, "I don't believe in representatives of God on earth, I believe only in God. Human beings sin, and they are responsible for corruption. Therefore, repent, repent." She said, "I know that some of you may be offended by what I'm saying. But what do you have to say to those families that were betrayed by people they believe in? And what do you say to the children who were violated in mind and body?"

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