SNAP says pope's remarks on sex abuse scandal not enough

Published: 2008-04-16

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI received an unusual present for his 81st birthday April 16 in Washington from men and women abused by priests as children -- a plea for him to censure a U.S. cardinal. The sign-carrying demonstrators who participated in an event held by the Survivors' Network of those Abused by Priests urged the pope during his first trip to the United States April 15-20 to take action against at least one of the four cardinals they believe have mishandled recent child sex-abuse cases. Though pleased that Pope Benedict spoke about the church sex-abuse crisis on the flight from Rome to Washington, SNAP leaders say mere words are not enough. The pope said he was deeply saddened by the crisis and would do what he could to prevent future priestly sex abuse cases. "We will absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry," Pope Benedict said. "This is absolutely incompatible, and who is really guilty of being a pedophile cannot be a priest. So this first level is, (as much) as we can, do justice and help clearly the victims because they are deeply touched. So there are two sides of the justice, on one hand that pedophiles cannot be priests and on the other hand to help in possible ways the victims."

Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .