Pope apologises for child abuse - Polidicks

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11354357[/url] (click for video) [quote]Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his "deep sorrow" for the "unspeakable crimes" of child abuse within the Catholic Church. The strongest public apology yet over the scandal was offered during a Mass at Westminster Cathedral on the third day of his four-day state visit. He said he was gravely concerned by "the immense suffering" caused by the abuse, especially by Church ministers. And he acknowledged "the shame and humiliation" caused by "these sins". "Above all, I express my deep sorrow to the innocent victims of these unspeakable crimes, along with my hope that the power of Christ's grace, his sacrifice of reconciliation, will bring deep healing and peace to their lives," he told the congregation. He said he hoped this "chastisement will contribute to the healing of the victims, the purification of the Church and the renewal of her age-old commitment to the education and care of young people". "I express my gratitude for the efforts being made to address this problem responsibly, and I ask all of you to show your concern for the victims and solidarity with your priests." Among the congregation at the Mass were former prime minister Tony Blair - who has converted to Catholicism - and his wife Cherie. Earlier the pontiff met Prime Minister David Cameron, his deputy Nick Clegg and acting Labour leader Harriet Harman. The Pope then met thousands of young Catholics gathered outside the cathedral. They included representatives from every parish in England and Wales, a contingent from Scotland, and a number of volunteers from Catholic youth organisations. As the Pope walked out to greet them, he was met with rapturous cheers. [B]'Third-millennium saints'[/B] Paschal Uche, 21, representing young Catholics, addressed to the Pope to a backdrop of cheers. "Your visit brings us together. It is like a family reunion and we are very, very pleased to see you," he said. The Nottingham University student added that he hoped the visit would inspire "us to be saints of the third millennium" and presented the Pope with a gift on behalf of young Catholics. The Pope then returned to Westminster Cathedral where he spoke of his "deep love" for the Welsh people and his sadness for being unable to visit the nation during. He blessed the nation in Welsh and said he was happy to honour its people and its ancient Christian tradition. Later in the day he will visit a home for older people in south London. The day ends with a prayer vigil in Hyde Park where about 80,000 people are expected to gather to see the Pope. But there will also be a march during the afternoon organised by campaign organisation Protest the Pope - an umbrella group opposed to the Pope's visit. They will march from Hyde Park Corner to Downing Street, where a rally will be held The Pope's schedule is continuing as planned, despite the arrest of six men in connection with an alleged terrorist threat to his visit. The men remain in custody following their arrest on Friday. The Metropolitan police say nothing significant was found during searches of residential and commercial properties in connection with the arrests. All six, who were detained in London, were street cleaners working for Veolia Environment Services, a cleaning company working for Westminster Council.[/quote] This is good, but ultimately the child abuse wasn't the fault of the Catholic Church. What he SHOULD be apologising for is covering it all up. But hey, recognising you have a problem is the first step of finding a solution.

About fucking time.

At least it's a step in the right direction.

Took him long enough, however, just saying sorry isn't really that much is it? -"Oh btw I raped your little kid and I'm sorry." -"Oh no problem I'll just let you off scot free because your such a nice fellow for saying sorry."

He should apologize for hiding kiddie fiddlers, and keeping them fully stocked with access to fresh meat.

lol catholic church.

such a joke

[QUOTE=FalconKrunch;24896679]Took him long enough, however, just saying sorry isn't really that much is it? -"Oh btw I raped your little kid and I'm sorry." -"Oh no problem I'll just let you off scot free because your such a nice fellow for saying sorry."[/QUOTE] What the hell do you suggest he does then?

Blimey, expected Badage Boys

he should apologize for being a dumb faggot then kill himself

Why do they get off with an apology?

[QUOTE=Miskav;24897038]Why do they get off with an apology?[/QUOTE] Because the Pope and Vatican are pretty much untouchable

[QUOTE=Miskav;24897038]Why do they get off with an apology?[/QUOTE] only god can make amends. and the pope, being infallible, is god's messenger here on earth.

[QUOTE=Capitulazyguy;24896488][url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11354357[/url] (click for video) This is good, [b]but ultimately the child abuse wasn't the fault of the Catholic Church.[/b] What he SHOULD be apologising for is covering it all up. But hey, recognising you have a problem is the first step of finding a solution.[/QUOTE] lets put sexually repressed men in a powerful position over little kids. what could go wrong. [editline]09:14AM[/editline] [QUOTE=Miskav;24897038]Why do they get off with an apology?[/QUOTE] because bullshit

The Pope is apologizing on behalf of the Church. He can't really control it when a priest goes AGAINST the teachings of Christianity. I think it's nice of him to intend an apology on behalf of something he couldn't control or isn't at fault of, though it could have been made a little earlier it's better later than never.

[QUOTE=Conspiracy;24897182]The Pope is apologizing on behalf of the Church. He can't really control it when a priest goes AGAINST the teachings of Christianity. I think it's nice of him to intend an apology on behalf of something he couldn't control or isn't at fault of, though it could have been made a little earlier it's better later than never.[/QUOTE] he could have not covered it up and persecuted them

[QUOTE=Kybalt;24897144]lets put sexually repressed men in a powerful position over little kids. what could go wrong.[/QUOTE] Studies actually show that Pedophilia comes from being exposed to sex (with another person or by abuse) way too early and in their formative years, basically fucking them up. I highly doubt being sexually repressed changes your sexuality. That'd be like saying people can be gay because they're in all-boy/girl schools for too long. [editline]01:20PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Kybalt;24897207]he could have not covered it up and persecuted them[/QUOTE] How though? He might be the pope but he isn't a psychic to be able to know exactly each time when it's happening, these kinds of things are usually covered up by the priests themselves.

[QUOTE=Conspiracy;24897211]Studies actually show that Pedophilia comes from being exposed to sex (with another person or by abuse) way too early and in their formative years, basically fucking them up. I highly doubt being sexually repressed changes your sexuality. That'd be like saying people can be gay because they're in all-boy/girl schools for too long.[/QUOTE] people in prison rape each other. are you saying that all of them were gay before going in? or maybe pedophiles just become priests due to the easy access and trust you get. being sexually repressed probably does turn some people into horny fuckers that do dumb shit. that thread about making money off pedos is proof enough of that. [editline]09:23AM[/editline] [QUOTE=Conspiracy;24897211]Studies actually show that Pedophilia comes from being exposed to sex (with another person or by abuse) way too early and in their formative years, basically fucking them up. I highly doubt being sexually repressed changes your sexuality. That'd be like saying people can be gay because they're in all-boy/girl schools for too long. [editline]01:20PM[/editline] [b]How though? He might be the pope but he isn't a psychic to be able to know exactly each time when it's happening, these kinds of things are usually covered up by the priests themselves.[/b][/QUOTE] when he was a bishop he enacted an order that whenever this happened the priests would be moved to a different church far away and that the church would help cover it up by paying expenses or whatever.

[QUOTE=Conspiracy;24897211]Studies actually show that Pedophilia comes from being exposed to sex (with another person or by abuse) way too early and in their formative years, basically fucking them up. I highly doubt being sexually repressed changes your sexuality. That'd be like saying people can be gay because they're in all-boy/girl schools for too long. [/QUOTE] How would you feel if you swore an oath not to have intercourse with women? After so many years of sexual repression, you change and you snap. The bible doesn't say anything about having intercourse with male boys as I recall. So they can keep doing it until they get caught.

Apologies won't fix the kids who are scared for life. Shit like this shouldn't happen in the first place, and I bet the Pope knew about it, but didn't do anything about it.

I saw him apologising and he seemed to be very sincere, but as posters said even though it would damage papal infallability it would be nice for him to sdmit that he was wrong.

[QUOTE=Conspiracy;24897211]Studies actually show that Pedophilia comes from being exposed to sex (with another person or by abuse) [b]way too early and in their formative years[/b], basically fucking them up. I highly doubt being sexually repressed changes your sexuality. That'd be like saying people can be gay because they're in all-boy/girl schools for too long.[/quote] Assuming that is true...horrible implications for the priests then, who knows how they spent their childhood. :gonk:

[QUOTE=poopsicle;24896862]What the hell do you suggest he does then?[/QUOTE] Arrest the ones who did it? maybe?

[QUOTE=booster;24897403]Apologies won't fix the kids who are scared for life. Shit like this shouldn't happen in the first place, and I bet the Pope knew about it, but didn't do anything about it.[/QUOTE] It's a step forward, i don't know is the Pope knew of it but he definately handled it wrong when it came to light.

[QUOTE=poopsicle;24896862]What the hell do you suggest he does then?[/QUOTE] Put that money he gets for visiting countries in a fund for the victems pehaps?

[QUOTE=booster;24897403]Apologies won't fix the kids who are scared for life. Shit like this shouldn't happen in the first place, and I bet the Pope knew about it, but didn't do anything about it.[/QUOTE] It's hard to agree with you. It isn't like the priests are sending emails back every night saying "Yup, just got another little one."

Yeah, and this changes years and years of scarring trauma and terrible abuse

Wow. He apologizes for the physical and mental abuse of disabled children that will never lead normal lives, because of him. And gets off with NO punishment? Son of a bitch. I hope his soul is scarred when he finds out there is no life after death. And if there is, I'll kill him in it. [editline]07:15PM[/editline] On top of that he covered all the shit up.

Are you a pedo? Be a priest. Only then you get protection against law.

[QUOTE=FalconKrunch;24897279]How would you feel if you swore an oath not to have intercourse with women? After so many years of sexual repression, you change and you snap. [b]The bible doesn't say anything about having intercourse with male boys as I recall. So they can keep doing it until they get caught.[/b][/QUOTE] Yeah, Christians and homosexuals are just so fond of one another.