Pope tells U.S. bishops credibility of church depends on its members

Published: 2004-05-14

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The credibility of the Catholic Church depends to a large extent on the conduct of its members, Pope John Paul II told bishops from California, Nevada and Hawaii. "The credibility of the church's proclamation of the good news is intimately linked to the commitment of her members to personal sanctification," the pope told the bishops in a message given to them during a May 14 audience. Pope John Paul did not mention the clerical sexual abuse crisis in the United States, but Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles, who spoke on behalf of the group, raised the issue. "We have all felt the shame, sorrow and disillusionment, realizing that some priests in past years sexually abused children and young people," the cardinal told the pope. "This betrayal of their priestly commitments has embarrassed and saddened our Catholic people, our faithful and devoted priests, and each of us bishops," he said.

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