ROME
Chicago Tribune
(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Eric Walsh)
Reuters
May 26, 2014
ROME – Pope Francis on Monday branded sexual abuse of children by priests a crime comparable to a “satanic Mass” and said he would show zero tolerance for anyone in the Catholic Church who abused children, including bishops.
Speaking to reporters on the plane taking him back from a visit to the Middle East, the pope also announced that he would have his first meeting with a group of abuse victims at the Vatican early next month.
Asked about whether he would move against bishops who were accused of sexual abuse, he said “there will be no daddy’s boys” and no privileges, adding that three bishops were currently under investigation.
“Sexual abuse is such an ugly crime … because a priest who does this betrays the body of the Lord. It is like a satanic Mass,” he said in some of the toughest language he has used on a crisis which has rocked the Church for more than a decade.” We must go ahead with zero tolerance” he said.
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