VATICAN CITY
NorthJersey.com
APRIL 11, 2014
BY NICOLE WINFIELD
ASSOCIATED PRESS
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis said Friday that he took personal responsibility for the “evil” of priests who raped and molested children, asking forgiveness from victims and saying the church must be even bolder in its efforts to protect the young. It was the first time a pope has taken personal responsibility for the sex crimes of his priests and begged forgiveness.
The pontiff’s off-the-cuff remarks were the latest sign that he has become sensitized to the gravity of the abuse scandal after coming under criticism from victims advocacy groups for a perceived lack of attention to, and understanding of, the toll it has taken on the church and its members.
Pope Francis meeting Friday with members of the International Catholic Child Bureau.
The evolution began last month when he named four women and an abuse survivor to a sex abuse advisory panel that the Vatican has suggested will address the critical issue of sanctioning bishops who cover up for pedophiles. …
The main U.S. victims group, SNAP, said it was waiting for more.
“We beg the world’s Catholics: Be impressed by deeds, not words,” said SNAP’s outreach director, Barbara Dorris, in a statement. “Until the pope takes decisive action that protects kids, be skeptical and vigilant.”
Mark Crawford, the New Jersey director of SNAP, said Pope Francis’ statement was similar to previous apologies from church leaders over the sex abuse crisis. More than an apology, he said, abuse victims want to see the pope hold bishops accountable for concealing the crimes and shuffling predator priests around.
“As long as these issues remain unaddressed, the apology is mere empty words to victims,” he said. “We’ve heard it all before. It’s not huge. Huge will be when he takes action against a bishop or a cardinal who he knows put children in harm’s way.”
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