A document obtained by The Associated Press on Friday shows Pope Benedict XVI defrocked nearly 400 priests over just two years for sexually molesting children.Read the rest here.
The statistics for 2011 and 2012 show a dramatic increase over the 171 priests removed in 2008 and 2009, when the Vatican first provided details on the number of priests who have been defrocked. Prior to that, it had only publicly revealed the number of alleged cases of sexual abuse it had received and the number of trials it had authorized.
Don't hold your breath waiting for an apology from those who accused him of coddling child molesters.
If I may say, Axios.
ReplyDeleteAxios, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine Benedict's grief in resigning the throne of Peter. I wonder if the poor man was getting so frail he believed he could no longer perform the pastoral offices with the requisite dignity.
AG
ReplyDeleteI think that is the only plausible explanation. I also think that it is the only moral rational for abdicating that office. If you just can't do the job anymore then it's time to step aside. Otherwise it's yours til God calls you to retirement.