CALIFORNIA
LA Daily News
By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer
dailybreeze.com
Posted: 02/11/2013
At churches, schools, offices and across social media, Pope Benedict XVI’s historic announcement that he’s resigning triggered a wave of surprise, a flurry of tributes, and speculation about how the Catholic Church will evolve under his successor.
Worshippers expressed astonishment at the news they’d heard when they awakened for morning Mass, and priests quickly tucked a reference to Pope Benedict into their sermons.
Leaders at the Los Angeles Archdiocese, the nation’s largest, scrambled to react to the pope’s statement that he will step down Feb. 28 because of failing health.
Archbishop Jose Gomez quickly posted a statement on his Facebook page, expressing affection for the 85-year-old pope and describing him as “one of the wisest persons in our world today.” …
Joelle Casteix, western regional director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said her group was upset with Pope Benedict’s resignation because they believe he will not be held accountable for the cover up of sex abuse by members of the clergy.
And while she feels that the College of Cardinals will act to protect it own, she still holds out hope for victims of sex abuse.
“I hope there will finally be that man of action who will punish wrongdoers and who will ensure that molesters are turned over to civil authorities.
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