It what can be arguably described as a step toward healing, Pope Benedict XVI issued the first public document apologizing to victims of sex abuse at the hands of those employed by the Vatican.
The document addressed sins of Irish priests and other religious figures stating, in part, "...
You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry".
The decades of known abuse, sexual and otherwise, by Vatican employees worldwide have been reported and in precious few cases, prosecuted.
What is certain in this most unfortunate breach of trust and faith is the calculated conspiracy of silence and cover-ups that followed allegations, akin to and possibly superior to the talents of government agencies involved in covert operations.
There are good and bad in every occupation, in every society, and in every culture.
However, the enormity of the allegations against church employees, brought forth in almost every country in the world, demonstrates that the conviction of this recent apology is wholly insufficient in addressing the pain suffered by those who placed their trust and spiritual faith in the hands of those who ultimately abused them.
One can only wonder why such an important document was written to only the Irish faithful.
There are so many victims in so many countries.
The Pope's letter does not indicate what action it will take to purge the Catholic church of pedophiles, sex abusers, and other criminals.
The inference of this lack of action is that those criminals permeate every level of the Catholic faith, possibly right on up to the current Pope or previous Popes, and such exposure of the truth would prove embarrassing to the Vatican itself.
Much like the transgressions of the Catholic Church during World War 2, if widely known, this crisis could lead to the end of the privileged status the Vatican enjoys.
It is known from research and treatments that victims of abuse, particularly sexual abuse, are at high risk of repeating the cycle of abuse and of suicide.
By extension, it is reasonable to suggest the victimization of subsequent generations has produced countless new victims, and the tragically early demise of at least some of the faithful.
This direct result of criminal activities by the Catholic Church has gone entirely unrecognized in the Pope's apology letter.
Likely not a coincidence, the Catholic Church has been running an aggressive media campaign to entice those lost sheep to return to the flock.
For some, an apology letter from the leader of the church may suffice in addressing their crisis of faith.
But, for the vast majority, Pope Benedict XVI has again failed them by merely placing a few words on parchment hoping to continue the cover-ups and thus, revictimizing the victim.
And that's my take...
The document addressed sins of Irish priests and other religious figures stating, in part, "...
You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry".
The decades of known abuse, sexual and otherwise, by Vatican employees worldwide have been reported and in precious few cases, prosecuted.
What is certain in this most unfortunate breach of trust and faith is the calculated conspiracy of silence and cover-ups that followed allegations, akin to and possibly superior to the talents of government agencies involved in covert operations.
There are good and bad in every occupation, in every society, and in every culture.
However, the enormity of the allegations against church employees, brought forth in almost every country in the world, demonstrates that the conviction of this recent apology is wholly insufficient in addressing the pain suffered by those who placed their trust and spiritual faith in the hands of those who ultimately abused them.
One can only wonder why such an important document was written to only the Irish faithful.
There are so many victims in so many countries.
The Pope's letter does not indicate what action it will take to purge the Catholic church of pedophiles, sex abusers, and other criminals.
The inference of this lack of action is that those criminals permeate every level of the Catholic faith, possibly right on up to the current Pope or previous Popes, and such exposure of the truth would prove embarrassing to the Vatican itself.
Much like the transgressions of the Catholic Church during World War 2, if widely known, this crisis could lead to the end of the privileged status the Vatican enjoys.
It is known from research and treatments that victims of abuse, particularly sexual abuse, are at high risk of repeating the cycle of abuse and of suicide.
By extension, it is reasonable to suggest the victimization of subsequent generations has produced countless new victims, and the tragically early demise of at least some of the faithful.
This direct result of criminal activities by the Catholic Church has gone entirely unrecognized in the Pope's apology letter.
Likely not a coincidence, the Catholic Church has been running an aggressive media campaign to entice those lost sheep to return to the flock.
For some, an apology letter from the leader of the church may suffice in addressing their crisis of faith.
But, for the vast majority, Pope Benedict XVI has again failed them by merely placing a few words on parchment hoping to continue the cover-ups and thus, revictimizing the victim.
And that's my take...
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