BishopAccountability.org
	An American Welcome Editorial Pueblo Chieftain April 17, 2008 http://www.chieftain.com/editorial/1208412000/1 POPE BENEDICT XVI has come to the United States to a tumultuous welcome, his first visit to these shores as pontiff. President Bush, accompanied by first lady Laura Bush, welcomed Pope Benedict to the White House, saying his visit was a reminder for Americans to "distinguish between simple right and wrong." "We need your message to reject this dictatorship of relativism and embrace a culture of justice and truth," the president added. "In a world where some see freedom as simply the right to do as they wish, we need your message that true liberty requires us to live our freedom not just for ourselves." Wednesday was the pontiff's 81st birthday, and an appreciative crowd on the South Lawn of the White House sang "Happy Birthday" to him twice. The pope replied, "God bless America." This pope does not exude the charismatic charm of his predecessor, John Paul II, and he does not try to emulate him. But they were great friends who used to meet once a week for theological and philosophical discussions. One has to believe some of John Paul II rubbed off. This pope is as humble as was his predecessor, and he is known to be very intellectually focused. So it was with great interest that we read of his remarks during the air trip from Italy about the sexual predations among some American priests. The U.S. Catholic Church has paid out $2 billion in abuse costs since 1950, most of that in just the last six years. "I am deeply ashamed," he told reporters, "and we will do what is possible so that this cannot happen again in the future." And in a reference to the shortage of priests in the United States, he said, "It is more important to have good priests than many priests. We will do everything possible to heal this wound." This journey coincides not just with the pope's birthday, but the three-year anniversary of his ascendancy atop the Roman Catholic Church. "I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the church in the United States and strengthens the resolve of Catholics to contribute even more responsibly to the life of this nation of which they are proud to be citizens," he said at President Bush's side. We welcome Pope Benedict XVI to America and are heartened by his acknowledgement of this nation's greatness.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.