"Archbishop left abusive priest in pastor’s job in California; Church official now leads Vatican agency on assault" by Gillian Flaccus, Associated Press | April 29, 2010
Meanwhile, a priest in Brazil is facing charges he abused eight boys in cases dating back to 1995, prosecutors said yesterday, adding to a list of allegations against clergy in Latin America.
The Rev. Jose Afonso, 74, is accused of abusing altar boys between ages 12 and 16, São Paulo state prosecutors said in an e-mailed statement....
Sickening sermons.
"Pope takes control of order whose founder was forced out" by Rachel Donadio, New York Times | May 2, 2010
ROME — Pope Benedict XVI yesterday took control of the Legionaries of Christ, a powerful and wealthy Roman Catholic religious order whose founder, a close friend of Pope John Paul II, was found to have molested seminarians and fathered several children.
The moves constituted the most direct action on sexual abuse since the most recent scandals have engulfed the church — and prompted criticisms of the pope’s own handling of such cases while he was an archbishop in Munich, and as a cardinal who led the body reviewing many sexual abuse charges.
That's how he got the job. Knew all the secrets.
In a statement, the Vatican said that Benedict would appoint a special delegate to govern the Legionaries, an influential worldwide order that has been an important source of new ordinations in a church that has struggled with a shrinking priesthood in much of the developed world. The order was founded in 1941 by a Mexican priest, the Rev. Marcial Maciel Degollado.
Benedict also said he would appoint a special commission to examine the Legionaries’ constitution and open an investigation into its lay affiliate, Regnum Christi. The measures mean that this powerful order would be ruled directly from the Vatican. But the pope decided against dissolving the order or forcing out much of its leadership, steps urged by many critics and victims’ advocates....
The fate of the Legionaries is the most closely watched case in the Catholic Church as it grapples with a sexual abuse scandal that has increased pressure on Benedict to demonstrate his commitment to confronting the issue.
Yeah, we know who is trying to destroy the Catholic church.
But....
Their hallmark.
The Maciel case has become a touchstone for how Benedict has confronted sexual abuse....
Ever notice CONFLICT is a theme that runs through every single newspaper article, American?
Benedict removed Maciel from priestly duties in 2006 and restricted him to a life of prayer and penance — a punishment that his victims say was not commensurate to his crimes. He died two years later, still a priest.
The guy is dead now?
The measures the pope announced yesterday came after an exhaustive investigation of the order and Maciel’s crimes.
--more--"
An expanding order, 'eh?
"Anglican bishops in talks with Vatican" by Associated Press | May 3, 2010
LONDON — Three Church of England bishops traveled to Rome last week for talks with Vatican officials about joining the Catholic Church, according to two of the bishops involved.
The bishops told the Associated Press they went to the Vatican to find out more about Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to invite disaffected Anglicans to join the Catholic Church — a sensitive issue that has roiled relations between the two denominations and threatens to overshadow the pontiff’s visit to London later this year....
I'm sure the MSM will see to it.
The Vatican shocked many Britons last year when it unveiled plans to make it easier for traditional Anglicans upset over female priests and gay bishops to join the Catholic Church. The two issues have already pushed the Anglican Communion to the edge of a schism, and the Vatican’s intervention prompted some critics to say that Rome was poaching for converts at a vulnerable time for the 80 million-strong religious body.
Benedict has defended the decision, saying the invitation was made in the spirit of ecumenism.
While the offer has yet to be taken up en masse, it has been warmly welcomed by several traditionalist bishops....--more--"
Also see: Handling of abuse claims against priest gives view of Vatican politics (By Daniel J. Wakin and James C. McKinley Jr., New York Times)
That never made my printed paper, and I'm not reading it. I think you know why.
Related: German bishop is target of new inquiry (By Nicholas Kulish, New York Times)
Update: Pope accepts resignation of a top German bishop
Wow, father got us out of church early today, huh?
