The independent and foreign press have written much in the
past about the current pope�s ongoing cover-ups of clergy sex abuse in the
Catholic Church. Now the American mainstream media are finally catching on. But
it�s long overdue. So below is a history.
Back in 2001, when we still knew him as Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger, the British press leaked a confidential
letter from Ratzinger to all Catholic bishops ordering that �the church�s
investigations into child sex abuse claims be carried out in secret,� and
asserting �the church�s right to hold its inquiries behind closed doors and
keep the evidence confidential for up to 10 years after the victims reached
adulthood.� In other words, keep it all under wraps until the statutes of
limitations expire. Clearly, he was not on the side of the victims. How Christian
is that, really?
In 2002, he discounted the whole issue,
referring to the media coverage of clergy sex abuse as a plot to discredit the church.
Again, clearly he was not on the side of the victims. How Christian is that,
really?
In 2005, after he had assumed the papal throne, he asked
then-President George W. Bush to grant him immunity from prosecution for
covering up clergy sex abuse allegations in a Texas diocese. Equally
disgustingly, Bush complied. Clearly neither man
was on the side of the victims. How Christian is that, really?
And now, with the news of several clergy sex scandals (and
alleged cover-ups) unfolding across Europe, the American mainstream media are finally shining
a light on this problem. So now, with all the additional scrutiny, will
those responsible be held accountable?
When I was a child in Catholic school, I was taught that the
pope is Jesus�s representative on earth. But, if you ask the famous question �What
would Jesus do?� the answer would surely not involve the cover-up of
pedophilia.
Child sexual abuse is a crime, and the pope knows it.
Covering up a crime is also a crime in itself.
However, it appears that the pope will get away with it all.
As Reuters reports, �Pope Benedict, accused by
victims� lawyers of being ultimately responsible for a cover-up of sexual abuse
of children by priests, cannot be called to testify at any trial because he has
immunity as a head of state, a top Vatican legal official said on Thursday.�
And, unlike George W. Bush, who I hope will someday be
prosecuted for his war crimes, the pope retains his title -- and therefore his
diplomatic immunity -- for life.
And so, despite the harm his actions have caused to so many
abused children, it appears that justice will never be fully served.
How Christian is that, really?
Mary Shaw is a Philadelphia-based writer and
activist, with a focus on politics, human rights, and social justice. She is a
former Philadelphia Area Coordinator for the Nobel-Prize-winning human rights
group Amnesty International, and her views appear regularly in a variety of
newspapers, magazines, and websites. Note that the ideas expressed here are the
author�s own, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Amnesty
International or any other organization with which she may be associated.
E-mail: mary@maryshawonline.com.