May 12, 2010

“Sin within the Church” threatens Catholicism


by Sara Levy

Widespread child abuse by Catholic priests shows that the greatest threat to Catholicism is from “sin within the Church”, Pope Benedict XVI said this week.

The Church has a “very deep need” to do penitence for its sins and “accept purification”, he added.

In his most comprehensive statement since fresh Catholic child abuse scandals broke two months ago, the 83-year-old pontiff said forgiveness “does not replace justice”.

“Today we see in a truly terrifying way that the greatest persecution of the Church does not come from outside enemies, but is born of sin within the Church,” he said.

A wave of child abuse scandals have surfaced in the Catholic Church over the past few months, including accusations that Church authorities in Europe, North America and Latin America failed to adequately deal with priests accused of child abuse.

In recent weeks Vatican officials have blamed the media, gays and progressives of waging a swear campaign against the Church.

The Pope’s statement directly contradicts their accusations, taking the full responsibility for the crisis on the Church.

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