CALIFORNIA
Monterey Herald
By John Sammon
jwsammon@sbcglobal.net
POSTED: 04/25/2014
MONTEREY >> Bill Ditewig, a deacon at the Diocese of Monterey, has been invited to Vatican City to participate in the canonization” of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII.
“These two popes were very special men,” Ditewig said. “In my own case, Pope John XXIII had a great influence on me.”
The ceremony will be held Sunday and an overflow crowd of more than 1 million spectators is expected in St. Peter’s Square. …
He said that although the church has faced recent charges of child sexual abuse, the public should also understand the great good the church does.
“Evil exists, as with any human element,” Ditewig said. “We look at the positive side without ignoring the bad. The church is involved in charity work, provides food and shelter, counseling and outreach. When there’s a disaster we’re usually first on the ground. Much of this work is done by volunteers, lay people and clergy.”
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