“The abuse…is by every standard wrong and rightly considered a crime by society”
ROME, Italy, April 23, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Pope John Paul II presented a powerful address today to the extraordinary gathering of US Cardinals summoned to Rome to address the growing sex abuse scandals.
The pope bluntly stated that “People need to know that there is no place in the priesthood and religious life for those who would harm the young” and that “The abuse which has caused this crisis is by every standard wrong and rightly considered a crime by society”. John Paul also referred to the crisis as a “time of trial” that “will bring a purification of the entire Catholic community” and that “So much pain, so much sorrow must lead to a holier priesthood, a holier episcopate, and a holier Church”.
Relating the crisis to the breakdown of morality in modern society the pope stated, “The abuse of the young is a grave symptom of a crisis affecting not only the Church but society as a whole. It is a deep-seated crisis of sexual morality, even of human relationships, and its prime victims are the family and the young.”
For the complete text of the Pope’s address see today’s LifeSite special report at: https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/apr/020423a.html