subject: Pope Apologises For Sex Abuse Clergy [print this page] Pope Benedict XV1 has expressed his "deep sorrow" for the "unspeakable abuse" carried out by members of the Catholic clergy.
Many cases of child abuse have been covered up by senior members of the Catholic church, complicit in moving known paedophile priests to other parish, rather than risk bringing the church into ill-repute by blowing the whistle on criminal clergy.
Ex-Hitler youth member, Pope Benedict appears to be sincere in his apology, which is possibly the strongest public appeal for forgiveness and understanding yet made by the pontiff.
Apologising for past child sexual abuse, promising to implement change within the clergy is on the face of it, all very well. But how will the Catholic church prevent clergyman from predatory behavour toward children they have contact with?
Due to the manipulative and sociopathic nature of those engaged in child abuse, there will always be people seeking to enter the clergy in order to access their victims.
Child sex abuse is obviously not just a Catholic issue. However, there is often concern expressed that celibacy may be a factor in why the Catholic Church in particular, has recently been exposed to very close attention in many countries of the world, with many cases of abuse being dragged into the media spotlight.
Any would-be' child abuser remaining in the Catholic Church must now be aware that if they are caught, their senior management will be extremely reluctant to cover up their evil actions, even at the cost of some unpalatable coverage being published in the tabloid newspapers.
It remains to be seen if publicity surrounding the Catholic Church sex abuse cases, will have an impact on other institutions with a track record of abuse, such as public schools and care homes where adults have access to children.
There are many examples of other institutions carrying out horrendous forms of abuse, not just sexual in nature. The Jesuit Brothers had a reputation for sadistic behavour toward children in their charge, going back generations. There are also recorded cases of physical and sexual abuse of people with special needs and the elderly, in care establishments.
If any recompense can be made to the victims of abuse, even an apology from the Pope, it is unlikely to be enough to end the personal nightmare of those affected by abusers.
If the promise to prevent cover-up of abuse in the future is kept, then at least the current generations of abuse victims can take a shred of comfort, from knowing that it will be much more difficult for abusers to operate without fear of being exposed and then prosecuted, in the future.
