(April 11, 2014 at 12:32 pm)Kitanetos Wrote: No pope has ever taken personal responsibility for the tens of thousands of children who were molested by priests over decades as bishops moved them from parish to parish rather than reporting them to police. Pope John Paul II denounced priests who hurt children, saying there was no place for them in the priesthood. Pope Benedict XVI expressed sorrow and regret to victims, met with them and even wept with them. But neither ever took personal responsibility for the scandal or begged forgiveness as Francis did.[/quote]
If it didn't happen on his watch as pope or as Bishop or archbishop, then the responsibility is not Francis' to take. It is those who prepetrated the acts and those who directly protected the prepetrators who must be held responsible whether they "take " responsibility or not.
The only reason why francis might choose to "take responsibility" that is not his is he knows he stands to lose nothing by taking responsibility. Instead he stands only to gain in personal standing amongst the impressionable by "taking responsibility". What is more, by thus risking nothing while gaining something, he also deflects further criticism from his church.
If he wants to do the right thing, then don't take responsibility. Instead hold those who are guilty responsible.
