UNITED STATES
WUSA
WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) — Nearly 80 million Americans still call themselves Catholic, but their numbers have been dwindling.
And among American Catholics, some are proud of Pope Benedict’s decision to resign…. and others are furious that he’s failed to do more to deal with child sex abuse by priests.
The resignation was a shock to the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Donald Wuerl. “It’s very startling. Totally unprepared for it.”
Cardinal Wuerl had just been with the Pope in October, and he says he saw no sign Benedict was struggling with his duties. “There was no doubt he was in full possession of his faculties.”
Cardinal Wuerl will be part of the conclave that will select the next Pope… and he says he will be looking for continuity with the conservative teachings of Benedict and John Paul. “There is a basic doctrine that is the bedrock of Catholic faith.”
But many American Catholics are pushing for a change. “The last thing we want is continuity,” says David Lorenz of Bowie, who was abused by the priest and guidance councilor at his Catholic High School. Lorenz was sodomized at a sleepover when he was just 16.
Lorenz says Pope Benedict has offered comforting words, but that he’s failed to punish bishops for hiding abusive priest and covering up the sexual abuse of children that is tearing the church apart. “This Pope has done nothing…. This thing is going to haunt them for a thousand years until they stand up and confront it and come clean.”
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