Opinion: Pope Benedict, Abuse and Youth: NCRegister

CURRENT ISSUE

Enlarge

November 8-14, 2009 covers

You must login for access to articles that are marked .

If you subscribe to the print edition, register here to get a Username and Password.

Not a Subscriber? Click here to try
4 Issues FREE!

Now you can subscribe to the digital edition of the Register! Save 29% off the print edition price! Click here for details.

Opinion Print Article | Email Article | Write To Us | Support Us

Pope Benedict, Abuse and Youth

BY Father Owen Kearns, LC

July 20-26, 2008 Issue | Posted 7/15/08 at 10:35 AM

Pope Benedict XVI surprised nearly everyone when he made personal apologies for past sex abuse by clergy a centerpiece of his U.S. visit three months ago.

Now that he is in Sydney for World Youth Day, the surprise is gone. Abuse is a chief topic in the Australian media. The Holy Father told reporters aboard his plane en route to Sydney: “We have to consider what was insufficient in our behavior and how we can prevent, heal, reconcile. This is the essential content of what we will say as we apologize.”

In other words, he is bringing his message of healing around the world.

Americans were very grateful and heartened by the message here, and many said it allowed them to return to their faith. Australia will see the same transformation. After all, they’ll see something Americans didn’t: hundreds of thousands of young people shouting and singing their enthusiasm for the faith, proving that love is the real legacy of the Church.

Filed under

Make a Donation now!

Insightful. Informative. Uncompromisingly faithful. The National Catholic Register is more than a newspaper. It’s a cause. Your support for the Register funds important journalism that helps to build a Culture of Life in our nation, and throughout the world. Help us promote the Church’s New Evangelization by donating to the National Catholic Register right now.

Click here to donate