Irish Times
Paddy Agnew
Tue, May 27, 2014
Three Catholic bishops are currently under investigation over allegations of child abuse and one has already been convicted, Pope Francis has said.
Speaking as he returned to Rome after a historic three-day visit to the Holy Land, the pontiff called for a “zero-tolerance” approach to sex abuse within the church.
He also criticised “a global economic system that is centred on money, rather than the human person”.
Not for the first time, Francis’s remarks showed that the Argentine ‘Pope From Afar’ is not just a spiritual leader, he is also a shrewd and informed socio-political analyst.
Asked about the sex abuse question, the pope revealed that three bishops are currently under investigation.
“One has already been convicted and the punishment needs to be decided. There will be no preferential treatment when it comes to child abuse,” the pope said during a press conference on his plane to Rome.
“When a priest commits abuse, he betrays the Lord’s body. A priest must guide children towards sainthood. And the child trusts him. But instead, he abuses him or her.
“This is very serious. It’s like celebrating a black Mass! And you create a problem that will stay with (the victim) for all of his or her life.
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