Priestly scandals must be handled quickly, firmly, pope tells bishops

Published: 2003-12-16

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Any behavior by a priest that leads to scandal must be investigated and dealt with immediately by the local bishop, Pope John Paul II said. "Scandalous behavior must at all times be investigated, confronted and corrected," the pope said in a Dec. 15 talk to the bishops of Sudan. The hopes for peace in Sudan and the need for greater efforts at dialogue with the country's Muslim leaders was the main focus of the pope's message to the bishops, who were making their "ad limina" visits to Rome, required of heads of dioceses every five years. But, as he normally does in his talks to bishops visiting the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses, the pope also offered observations on the internal life of the church in their country. Pope John Paul told the bishops to "cherish your priests with a special love" and ensure their training prepares them to live lives totally dedicated to serving the Gospel and their brothers and sisters.

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