Retired pope asks pardon for abuse, but admits no wrongdoing

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By NICOLE WINFIELD

ROME (AP) — Retired Pope Benedict XVI asked forgiveness Tuesday for any “grievous faults” in his handling of clergy sex abuse cases, but admitted to no personal or specific wrongdoing after an independent report criticized his actions in four cases while he was archbishop of Munich, Germany.

“I have had great responsibilities in the Catholic Church. All the greater is my pain for the abuses and the errors that occurred in those different places during the time of my mandate,” the retired pope said.

Benedict, 94, was responding to a Jan. 20 report from a German law firm that had been commissioned by the German church to look into how cases of sexual abuse were handled in the Munich archdiocese between 1945 and 2019. Benedict, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, headed the archdiocese from 1977 to 1982.

The report’s authors faulted Benedict’s handling of four cases during his time as archbishop, accusing him of misconduct for having failed to restrict the ministry of the priests in the cases even after they had been convicted criminally. The report also faulted his predecessors and successors, estimating that there had been at least 497 abuse victims over the decades and at least 235 suspected perpetrators.



FILE - This Dec. 8, 2015 file photo shows Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI sitting in St. Peter's Basilica as he attends the ceremony marking the start of the Holy Year. Retired Pope Benedict XVI asked forgiveness Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, for any “grievous faults" in his handling of clergy sex abuse cases, but admitted to no personal or specific wrongdoing after an independent report criticized his actions in four cases while he was archbishop of Munich, Germany. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/europe-religion-germany-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-sexual-abuse-3461ba1b9adfcfb884027361263f1706

[AngryOldDem]

1. Sin of omission.

How could he not have known?

Classic “sorry, not sorry”, typical of a lot of these hierarchs.

[Stuart G]

17. He knew exactly what was going on, and purposely..."Covered It Up"

...People came to him, as a leader, and told him, and he did ....NOTHING!!! (on purpose)

...(ain't the first time, and it won't be the last time)

[AngryOldDem]

18. My question was rhetorical.

Of course he knew. All transfers and/or allegations have to go past the desk of the local archbishop, and I think even Rome, for all priestly levels. This excuse of Benny’s wore out about 20 years ago. It was bullshit then and is bullshit now.

[DENVERPOPS]

20. Sounds like the upcoming defense

Trump, his spawn, and Jared will use..........

[hlthe2b]

2. Uggh... I admire Pope Francis for many things. By contrast, Ratzinger was...

well, let's just say "well-named."

[Scrivener7]

5. He gives me the same skin-crawl that Cardinal Dolan does.

[PJMcK]

3. Die already, motherfucker

Go meet your so-called maker, you criminal Nazi.

[underpants]

7. Is the Pope a Nazi?

The answer to that was actually a Yes during our lifetime

[artemisia1]

16. No. He did the wrong thing and does not deserve respect for it However, as a fifteen year old

conscript from a sh*thole dictatorship, I empathize with his WW2 service.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Hey if the head guy can't get a Plenary Indulgence in the Catholic Church, who can?

[peacefreak2.0]

6. His end time must be near.

Weight of a heavy conscience much, Ratso?

[2naSalit]

8. +1

[PJMcK]

9. Can't happen soon enough!

Benedict asks for forgiveness but doesn't indicate his wrong-doing. This is meaningless. An apology without contrition and acknowledgement of one's errors is an empty gesture.

He's a complete loser, he was a lousy pope and he should shut up and die.

[AngryOldDem]

11. Been at the pearlies for years.

Must have to pay an entrance fee first.

[twodogsbarking]

13. Today I choose not to bash the church.

But I appreciate everyone else doing it.

[lagomorph777]

14. Not so infallible, huh?

[keithbvadu2]

15. The non-apology apology

The non-apology apology

I'm sorry you didn't like me kicking you.
vs
I'm sorry I kicked you.

[mpcamb]

19. "...but admits no wrongdoing" Like Corporations do when they're caught

like rats in a spotlight.

[milestogo]

21. Former pope.

Lousy christian.

[Ameri Canadian]

22. I had had NO idea he was a Republican

"I didn't do it. But if I did, it was completely above board."

[twodogsbarking]

23. Playing the "Get Out of Hell Free" card.

[Skittles]

24. it's all such a scam