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  Papal Visit 2008: Pope Touches on Sex Scandal, Peace during Stay

By Lindley Pless
NY1
April 21, 2008

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=80735

[with video]

While in the United States this past week, the pope spoke about many issues from the church's sex scandal to world peace. NY1's Lindley Pless filed the following report on the topics he repeatedly touched upon.

In less than a week, Pope Benedict XVI managed to tackle some of the toughest topics facing the Catholic Church and the world at large.


Even before his plane had touched down on U.S. soil, Benedict spoke about the sex abuse scandal in the church.

"We are deeply ashamed and we will do all that it possible so that this cannot happen in the future," he said.

While speaking at the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington on Wednesday, he once again brought up the issue.

"It was sometimes very badly handled," said Benedict.

The topic continued to be a focus at his Mass at Nationals Park.

"It is important that those who have suffered be given loving, personal attention," said the pope.

And, in a meeting with the highest-ranking members of the church at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Benedict prayed for a time of healing.

"I join you in praying that this will be a time of purification for each and every particular church and religious community and a time for healing," he said.

Benedict made it very clear that while he respects the freedoms afforded to all Americans, he warned against drawing a line between religion and political life.

In his homily at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, he called for rights of the unborn, touching on an issue that has divided Catholics and caused politics and faith to collide.

"As the Second Vatican Council put it, there is no human activity, even in secular affairs, which can be withdrawn from God's dominion," he said.

He met with interfaith leaders throughout his time in the U.S., and included symbols of this country's many cultures in most of his events.

"We think of the successive waves of immigrants whose traditions have so enriched the church in America," said the pope.

While he did not directly address the War in Iraq, he did focus on world peace and justice when speaking at the United Nations on Friday.

"What is needed is a deeper search for ways of pre-empting and managing conflicts by exploring every possible diplomatic avenue," said Benedict.

Peace was also the theme on Sunday at the World Trade Center Site, where he prayed for all those lost at what he described as the scene of incredible violence and pain.

"God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world: peace in the hearts of all men and women and peace among all the nations of the earth," he said.

Benedict praised this country for its openness to all beliefs and ideas, and left New York with a final wish: "God Bless America."

 
 

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