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	Vatican Priest Apologizes for Sermon United Press International April 4, 2010 http://www.upi.com/Top_News/International/2010/04/04/Vatican-priest-apologizes-for-sermon/UPI-44551270382951/ VATICAN CITY -- A Vatican priest has apologized for his sermon linking criticism the Catholic Church has received for its priest sex abuse scandal to anti-Semitism. The Rev. Raniero Cantalamessa upset Jewish groups and sex abuse victims when he made the comparison during his Good Friday sermon, saying Jews "know from experience what it means to be victims of collective violence and also because of this they are quick to recognize the recurring symptoms." He said a Jewish friend had written him "the use of stereotypes, the passing from personal responsibility and guilt to a collective guilt, remind me of the more shameful aspects of anti-Semitism." The BBC reported Sunday Cantalamessa told Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper Pope Benedict XVI wasn't informed of his sermon's content beforehand and expressed contrition. "I am truly sorry to have hurt the feelings of Jewish friends," he said, adding he did not think one could compare anti-Semitism to the "attacks on the church in these days." The Vatican had already distanced itself from Cantalamessa's remarks, saying they did not represent the church's official view. At Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square, Cardinal Angelo Sodano referred to the sex-abuse issue by saying the faithful were not impacted by the "petty gossip" of the day, the BBC reported. Benedict, who has become embroiled in the scandal over his role as a high-ranking official before becoming pope, did not refer directly to the crisis in his Easter address. "Easter doesn't work magic," the pope said. "After the resurrection the church always finds history filled not only with joy and hope but also with pain and anguish." Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, wished Benedict a happy Easter and support. "Holy Father, the people of God are with you and will not let themselves be influenced by the petty gossip of the moment, by the trials that sometimes assail the community of believers," Sodano said.
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