Rome- Victims blast Polish priest who defends JPII on Maciel

By Barbara Dorris
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
April 22, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/rome_victims_blast_polish_priest_who_defends_jpii_on_maciel

Canonizing Pope John Paul II is an extraordinarily hurtful move. Now, the pain is being made worse by Monsignor Slawomir Oder, who insists that the now-deceased pope had “no personal involvement” in the horrific, decades-long Fr. Marcial Maciel scandal. 

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/4cceb6e090bc4c83985b7c4fd11bf909/EU--REL--Vatican-Abuse-Legacy

First, a leader of an institution is responsible for what happens in that institution. This is especially true in an ancient, rigid monarchy like the Catholic Church. So popes can't wield massive power yet evade responsibility for massive wrongdoing just because his aides may have carefully shielded him from the gory details.

Second, the Maciel case is just one case out of many in which John Paul II ignored or helped conceal horrific sexual violence against kids. In the rare instances where the pontiff took action, it was hurtful, not helpful (like his decision to water down an already weak US bishops sex abuse policy).

Oder got what he wanted: his idol is being idolized. Has he no decency? Can't he stop here, and resist the temptation to revise history and exacerbate wounds?