Pope Benedict hit by new Church child abuse allegations (updated)

[babsbunny]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8612457.stm

Pope Benedict XVI has become embroiled in new revelations over child sexual abuse, over a letter he is said to have signed in 1985 before becoming pontiff.

Associated Press said it had obtained the letter, signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, resisting the defrocking of offending US priest Stephen Kiesle.

Cardinal Ratzinger said the "good of the universal Church" needed to be considered in defrocking, AP reported.

It said the Vatican had confirmed the cardinal's signature on the letter.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. It is in no way good for the church not to defrock that priest, unless of course it's part

of a cover-up. I guess that must be his reasoning because nothing else makes sense.

[roguevalley]

16. anyone else would be in prison. why aren't they in prison!?!?>!?!?!

[RKP5637]

2. Couldn't have happened to a better person IMO! n/t

[BunkerHill24]

3. I've said it before and I'll say it again

Religion is a global scam.

[RKP5637]

6. +1,000, n/t

[malaise]

10. +1,000 more n/t

[Whisp]

13. +a trillion more.

damn straight it's a scam.

it's embarassing how this fantasy is allowed to wield so much power over so many. Makes as much sense to me as worshipping my potted ferns and dressing them up in gold

[movonne]

11. Yes, yes, yes....

[GodlessBiker]

4. If JR had any moral integrity, he would resign.

[FreeJG]

5. "for the good of the universal church"....the pope should step down

John DeCamp went to the Vatican to talk about Father Flannigan's Boys Town in NE regarding the Franklin Cover UP. Our politicians were using these boys just as the catholic priests were doing. When DeCamp got to the Vatican....guess who came to see him on this matter????? JR DID!!!

[Mojeoux]

7. Impeach the Pope!!! How? The Power of Public Opinion

He has to resign for the "good of the universal Church."

[rhett o rick]

12. His resignation will not solve the problem. The problem is that the church tell

parishioners that priests are holier than mere mortal men and closer to God. Therefore they can be trusted by mere mortals. To solve this problem the church would have to admit that priests are mere mortal men with the same weaknesses. The church has decided centuries ago that wont happen.

The problem isnt the priests and isnt the Pope, but the parishioners. As long as they remain in denial and allow this behavior, it will continue. After all, what's the sacrifice of a few children to keep the clothes on the emperor?

[Mojeoux]

17. change Popes and start a new direction

An African Pope, a Latino Pope!?

[rhett o rick]

18. They may change Popes to provide the illusion of changing directions

but their direction has been in motion for centuries. I dont see it changing. Today there is a lot of public outrage about the behavior of pedophile priests and the Pope, but not much outrage from the parishioners.

[Ian David]

8. Doesn't defrocking a priest only turn them on even more? n/t

[KittyWampus]

9. The Catholic Church is sort of like RJ Reynolds tobacco. Europe & N. America are quitting

and Latin America, Africa and China are picking up the slack in sales.

[BunkerHill24]

14. You are right....

It's not about sex...It's about how the "Brown People" understand/appreciate the Scriptures.

[Peregrine Took]

15. This news about the California priest must have them back on their heels as

the Vat lawyers responded so quickly.