Pope accepts “humiliation” on abuse of minors by priests

NEVADA - His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, while exchanging Christmas greetings with Roman Curia in Vatican City on December 20, reportedly accepted humiliation over abuse of minors by priests and added that they were aware of the gravity of this sin and their responsibility.

As given on The Holy See website, Pope Benedict described abuse of minors committed by priests a greater shock and added: “We must humbly accept this humiliation as an exhortation to truth and a call to renewal…We must ask ourselves what we can do to repair, as much as possible, the injustice committed. We must ask ourselves what was wrong in our announcement, in our entire way of determining Christian existence, that such a thing could happen…We must be capable of penance. We must strive to do everything possible, when preparing people for the priesthood, to ensure such a thing can never happen again…We are aware of the particular gravity of this sin committed by priests and of our consequent responsibility.”

Well known Hindu statesman Rajan Zed and Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California in USA, in a statement in Nevada today, said that it was a “step in the right direction” that Pope was accepting the responsibility on this unprecedented and shocking sex scandal and ensuring to take steps so that such a thing could never happen again.

Zed, who is President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, and Rabbi Freirich, asked the Vatican to urgently come up with a White Paper on this scandal engulfing the Roman Catholic Church. This authoritative Paper should honestly address the issue; and then list the solutions, action program and implementation schedule. A monitoring body should also be established for future.

Rajan Zed and Jonathan Freirich, however, agreed with Pope when he reportedly said during this event: “The human being is one, and humanity is one. Whatever damage is done to another in any one place, ends up by damaging everyone.”

Pope held this traditional meeting with the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and members of the Roman Curia and of the Governorate of Vatican City State, in the Sala Regia of the Vatican Apostolic Palace in order to exchange Christmas greetings. Pope Benedict heads the Roman Catholic Church, which is largest of the Christian denominations. (ANI)