Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Pope signals won't be intimidated by abuse critics
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Slideshow
Video
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
Obama makes 15 recess appointments
8:00am EDT
Sex virus blamed for rise in head and neck cancers
26 Mar 2010
Geely signs $1.8 billion deal for Ford's Volvo car unit
11:33am EDT
It's big, it's back, it's the World Expo: China style
26 Mar 2010
South Korea rules out navy ship sunk by North Korea
| Video
27 Mar 2010
Sex virus blamed for rise in head and neck cancers
26 Mar 2010
Geely signs $1.8 billion deal for Ford's Volvo car unit
11:33am EDT
Pope signals won't be intimidated by abuse critics
| Video
10:20am EDT
Dubai debt plan meant to show emirate back on feet
26 Mar 2010
Obama makes 15 recess appointments
8:00am EDT
Pope signals won't be intimidated by abuse critics
Philip Pullella
VATICAN CITY
Sun Mar 28, 2010 10:20am EDT
Related Video
Vatican prepares for Easter
Sat, Mar 27 2010
<
1 / 2
>
View Full Size
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict, facing one of the gravest crises of his pontificate as a sexual abuse scandal sweeps the Church, indicated on Sunday that his faith would give him the courage not to be intimidated by critics.
World
The 82-year-old pontiff led tens of thousands of people in a sunny St. Peter's Square in a Palm Sunday service at the start of Holy Week events commemorating the last days in Jesus's life.
While he did not directly mention the scandal involving sexual abuse of children by priests, parts of his sermon could be applicable to the crisis he and the Roman Catholic Church are facing.
The pontiff said faith in God helps lead one "toward the courage of not allowing oneself to be intimidated by the petty gossip of dominant opinion."
He also spoke of how man can sometimes "fall to the lowest, vulgar levels" and "sink into the swamp of sin and dishonesty."
One prayer read at the Mass asked God to help "the young and those who work to educate and protect them," which Vatican Radio said was intended to "sum up the feelings of the Church at this difficult time when it confronts the plague of pedophilia."
As the scandal has convulsed the Church in the United States and Europe, the Vatican has gone on the offensive, attacking the media for what it called an "ignoble attempt" to smear Pope Benedict and his top advisers "at any cost."
In London, the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, told the BBC: "The Pope won't resign. Frankly, there's no strong reason for him to do so. In fact it's the other way around: he is the one above all else in Rome who has tackled these things head on."
On Saturday, the Vatican's chief spokesman acknowledged that the Church's response to cases of sexual abuse by priests is crucial to its credibility and it must "acknowledge and make amends for" even decades-old cases.
CREDIBILITY AT STAKE
"The nature of this issue is bound to attract media attention and the way the Church responds is crucial for its moral credibility," the Vatican's chief spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said on Vatican Radio.
Although the cases cited happened long ago, "even decades ago, acknowledging them and making amends to the victims is the price for re-establishing justice and looking to the future with renewed vigor, humility and confidence," Lombardi said.
Sunday marked the start of a hectic week during which the Pope presides over seven major events leading up to Easter.
But while Catholics around the world commemorate Christ's passion, the 1.1 billion member Church is reeling from media reports on abuse that have led to the pope's doorstep.
The Vatican has denied any cover-up in the abuse of 200 deaf boys in the United States by Reverend Lawrence Murphy from the 1950s to the 1960s, after the New York Times reported he was not defrocked although the case was made known to the Vatican and to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then the Church's top doctrinal official, now Pope Benedict.
The Vatican also said that the pope, while archbishop of Munich in 1980, was not involved in the decision by a subordinate to allow a priest who had been transferred there to undergo therapy for sexual abuse to return later to pastoral duties.
The European epicenter of the scandal is Ireland, where two bishops have resigned over their handling of abuse cases years ago. Three others have offered their resignation and there have been calls for the head of the Irish Church, Cardinal Sean Brady, to step down.
In Geneva, Swiss President Doris Leuthard called for a central register of pedophile priests to prevent them from having further contact with children.
Supporters of Pope Benedict point to his action against the charismatic head of the priestly order The Legion of Christ, Father Marcial Maciel, after evidence emerged in 2006 confirming earlier allegations that he had abused young seminarians.
(Additional reporting by Avril Ormsby in London and Jonathan Lynn in Geneva; editing by Tim Pearce)
World
More from Reuters
Obama arrives in Kabul for unannounced Afghan trip
KABUL (Reuters) - President Barack Obama arrived in Kabul on Sunday for an unannounced visit to Afghanistan, his first trip to the country since becoming president and commander-in-chief of the U.S.-led war effort.
Geely signs $1.8 billion deal for Ford's Volvo car unit
Obama makes 15 recess appointments
Israel's Netanyahu rejects "Obama disaster" headline
Obama did not snub Israeli PM: Axelrod
Nakheel seen offering sukuk to trade creditors
» More Top News
All show and no tell in Dubai
Dubai's plan to avoid taking cash from Abu Dhabi was meant to show investors that it can stand on its own feet. But it may be more about presentation than reality. Full Article
Factbox: What could Dubai sell?
Global Markets
It's back, and bigger than ever
What's more expensive than the Beijing Olympics, covers a vast territory and is forcing countries and international companies to splash out millions of dollars? Full Article
Train forces airlines to stop flights
Chinese dwarfs seek work, respect
China
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Sunday, 28 March 2010 Mubarak returns to Egypt amid talk about succession
NATO chief urges Europe to boost defence spending
Russia does not rule out sanctions against Iran
Brazilian helicopters arrive for Colombia hostages
|
Mubarak back home in Egypt three weeks after surgery
Israelis quit Gaza after worst clash in over a year
Libya visa blacklist scrapped: Spanish ministry
|
LRA killed hundreds in late 2009 Congo massacre: U.N.
|
Vatican say abuse response crucial for credibility
|
Sandra Bullock, Jesse James Cover Story Reportedly In Touch Magazine's Biggest Seller Ever
U.S. missile strike kills four in Pakistan
|
Rihanna Spends Second Week At #1 On Billboard Hot 100 With "Rude Boy"
Officials: US missiles kill 4 in Pakistan
Lady Antebellum, Marvin Sapp Top The Billboard 200 Albums Chart
Universal Orlando Reveals June Opening Date For The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
NATO reports another Afghan death
Meyer on third gold as Aussies win Madison crown
Lights out across Asia as world begins Earth Hour
A virtual farm turns new ground for game developers
|
Asada topples Queen Kim to reclaim world figure skating title
Pakistan air strike kills 11 militants
SKorean naval ship sinks near NKorea; 46 missing
Thai protesters surround PM's office
Indian official questioned about religious riots
U.S. Urges Bangladesh To Strengthen Reconciliation
Second Nominee For TSA Chief Backs Out
"RuPaul's Drag Race" Casting For Third Season
South Butt Clothing Line Parody Brings Trademark Infringement Lawsuit From North Face
JP Morgan, UBS Named In Muncipal Auction Bid-Rigging Suit
Stocks Give-Up Early Gains, Markets Finish Mixed
Phillies Fan Charged With Attempted Sex Trade
Obama Announces Financial Incentives to Reduce Home Foreclosures
Invisible Taliban harass US Marines
BA cabin crew threaten more strikes
Turkey snubs Merkel over EU bid
Tuvalu to Times Square; landmarks off for Earth Hour
|
British concern over Afghan police: report
Google goes it alone in China censorship fight
Iraq's Allawi says open to all in coalition talks
|
Israeli tanks kill Palestinian militant in Gaza incursion: medics
National bans is poll boon for Italian local TV, Internet
Investors on alert as Portugal starts budget battle
Daimler ignored warnings on corruption: report
Thai PM to meet protesters, few concessions seen
|
Fans fight at Mexican matches, 30 injured in Queretaro
|
GM Recalls Heavy Duty Vans For Fire Hazard
Obama Cites Senate "Obstruction" In 15 Recess Appointments
Two more nuclear sites suspected in Iran: report
Obama: Student Loan Reform Will Save $68 Billion For Taxpayers
Palin urges voters to dump Democratic Senator
Women's equality is key to global prosperity: Clinton
China's Chalco sinks into red in 2009
Thai PM agrees to talks with protesters
China's Geely set to sign Volvo takeover
S. Korea resumes hunt for 46 missing in warship sinking
Robots, space technology run Australia's mining miracle
In quick reversal, Thai PM to talk with protesters
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Rare glimpse of Hmong in Laos fails to quell concerns
SKorea resumes searching for 46 missing navy crew
Thai government, protesters edge towards talks
Billionaire Giving Half Of His Fortune To Charity To Fulfill Pledge
Grenades hit Thai barracks amid protests
Second Nominee For TSA Chief Backs Out
"Fart Attacks" Get Prisoner In Stinky Situation
Mexicos "King Of Heroin" Dethroned With Arrest
South Butt Clothing Line Parody Brings Trademark Infringement Lawsuit From North Face
Stevia herb sweetens global market
Centuries-old Sex Toys Sell For Thousands
Meat-cutting robot at Germany's 1st doner kebab fair
US deaths double in Afghanistan as troops pour in
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
US troop deaths double in Afghanistan
Slime flies at Kids Choice, Michelle Obama honored
Butt Bra Does Wonders For Buttocks
Bolshoi to re-open in October 2011: report
In California, legalizing marijuana not just for hippies
Bag With $100,000 Falls Off Armored Truck, Only $13,000 Returned
Slime flies at Kids Choice, Michelle Obama honored
|
Party official among 6 killed by bombs in western Iraq
Italians vote in polls seen as test for Berlusconi
Netanyahu vows response to Gaza attacks
Bomb attacks kill six in Afghanistan
Thousands protest against Putin in Russian city
|
Israel minister vows to 'liquidate' Gaza Hamas rulers
Pope signals won't be intimidated by abuse critics
|
Israel restricts West Bank access ahead of Passover
Haiti, donors face huge task to build back better
|
Flood in new China coal mine traps 123 miners
|
Party official among 6 killed by bombs in western Iraq
|
Israel's Netanyahu rejects Obama disaster headline
|
Iran: Two More Secret Nuclear Sites?
Yemen says Shi'ite rebels kill accused collaborator
|
Can Somaliland Cure Somalias Woes?
Israel's Netanyahu vows response to Gaza attacks
|
Police Investigating Apparent Jell-O Tampering
Russia says U.S. should eradicate Afghan opium
|
123 trapped in flooded coal mine in northern China
Missing lawyer says he is living in northern China
Well-known missing Chinese rights lawyer alive
152 trapped in flooded coal mine in northern China
World's iconic sites go dark to fight global warming
McLaren's Button wins back-to-back Australian GPs
152 trapped in coal mine flood in northern China
Philippine troops capture key Abu Sayyaf camp
Live on TV: Thai PM vs. anti-government protesters
Japan suspicion over China's poison dumpling arrest
Chinese court to rule in Rio Tinto trial
Malaysia bids for investments with 'new economic model'
Bharti boss on cusp of realising African dream
Driving into history: India's original small car
Automakers Geely, Ford may pen Volvo deal Sunday
S.Korean exporters Q2 sentiment rebounds
'The beautiful game' changing young Indian lives
Josephine letters fetch huge sums at French auction
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights