(April 11, 2014 at 3:16 pm)Chuck Wrote:(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.
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.
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Sorry - but the reason why he chose to take personal responsibility is MONEY
While there are still those believers who still say that NO priest ever did these things and the people who claim them are just out for the money - the problem is that these are likely to be older members of the church - and they are dying off.
The aging and dying off of the believers is an obvious and ominous trend for the Pope. ANd doing "something" to make the church relevant again for those who were alienated is a priority. While MY personal experiences could NEVER be overcome by anything they say - or do - there are still some who might be brought back by pandering like this. Especially in the third world countries which is the only place where the church is still growing.
