Archbishop Addresses 'Painful' Abuse Allegations, CTV, April 18, 2010

Archbishop Addresses 'Painful' Abuse Allegations

CTV
April 18, 2010

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100418/Arch_Bishop_100418/20100418?hub=Canada

Toronto's archbishop told Sunday worshippers that the abuse scandal currently sweeping through the Roman Catholic church represents a "dramatic" exception compared to its good work over the years.

Despite the circumstances, Archbishop Thomas Collins said that Catholics and the clergy should not be discouraged by the rampant allegations.

Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins spoke at St. Michael\'s Cathedral on Sunday, April 18, 2010.

"These scandals are dramatic exceptions to the fundamental reality of priestly goodness, for almost all priests serve faithfully," Collins said.

"But just one priest gone wrong causes great suffering, and as we hear of evil done by some clergy in our own communities and around the world, we are all filled with dismay."

Collins delivered the message at St. Michael's Cathedral in downtown Toronto. His message was also delivered as the Sunday homily at all of the 225 Catholic parishes in the Toronto archdiocese.

Churchgoer Mary Lozowsky told The Canadian Press that the words were reassuring. In particular, she said that Collins was right in saying the church had "failed."

In the past month, the Vatican has been criticized for taking a defensive approach to the scandal.

But on Sunday, Lozowsky said the archbishop spoke candidly.

"There was no counter-attack in this -- it was not a defensive response," Lozowsky said. "I thought it was honest."

There are 1.9 million Catholics in the Toronto archdiocese.

Meanwhile, Pope Benedict spent the day in Malta, where he met with a group of people who were victims of clerical sex-abuse.

Benedict told the victims that the church would fight for justice and protect young people from future abuse.

In recent weeks, new allegations of sex abuse have surfaced in eastern Ontario. In the case, it is alleged that the Pembroke diocese worked to cover up accusations of sex abuse.

Much of the case centres on a 1993 letter which indicated that a church official had been promoted despite complaints about his behaviour.