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  Sex Abuse Victims Protest Outside D.C.'s Vatican Embassy

WJLA
April 3, 2010

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0410/722215.html

WASHINGTON (DC) -- Prosecutors demonstrated outside an embassy operated by the Vatican in D.C. Saturday just as disturbing new accusations targeting the Pope and what he knew about a pedophile priest in Arizona emerge.

New documents show Pope Benedict - then a cardinal - allowed the abuse case of a Tucson priest to be delayed for a dozen years, despite repeated pleas from a bishop for the man to be de-frocked.

The Vatican calls the allegations "absolutely groundless." Still, many are demanding answers.

"If we leave the church alone, this kind of behavior will continue," said David Lorenz, sex abuse victim.

Outside the embassy of the Holy See in D.C., victims of sex abuse demanded full transparency.

"We need to have all the records of how the church handled this abuse, both at the local diocese level and at the Vatican level," Lorenz added.

The victims say they also want the Pope's preacher publicly disciplined for his remarks at a Good Friday service, comparing recent criticism of the church to anti-semitism - comments the church quickly distanced itself from.

"It's absolutely not the line of the Vatican and of the Catholic Church," said Rev. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesperson.

But victims accuse the Vatican of trying to intimidate them.

"I don't feel like we are attacking the church. I feel that victims are reaching out to the church to get what they need to heal," said Becky Ianni, sex abuse victim.

Meanwhile, many Catholics don't want the Pope or priests to discuss the scandal during Holy Week.

"This is very important to us and everything can be settled or discussed after Easter Sunday," said Maloai Supnet, a Catholic.

Still, others disagree, saying Easter is about the resurrection and rebirth, and a special Papal message could help heal the church.

"It should come all out in the open and the Pope should apologize for everybody," said Carolyn Benvenuto, a Catholic.

"It's the perfect opportunity for the church to do that but I can't see it ever happening," said Lola Lopez, a Catholic.

 
 

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