In an especially arrogant and callous remark made during the Palm Sunday homily marking the opening of Holy Week, the pope compared the building sex abuse scandal rocking the church to the "gossip" journalism rags. Instead of acknowledging the serious criminal wrongs of sex abuse, instead the pope proclaimed that God instills "the courage of not allowing oneself to be intimidated by the petty gossip of dominant opinion".
American victims and their lawyers probably were flabbergasted at the comment, which seems to indicate a culture in the church where the pope views himself and others as above the law and above questioning. And rather than the events being mere "petty gossip" as the pope may dismiss, the events are both real and documented, and extremely serious. Some American journalists now compare this scandal to Watergate.
THE BOSTON HERALD's latest news on the developing story opinions that the pope is probably unlikely to resign no matter how deeply he may be involved in the scandal. However, protesters in London and around the world are organizing and calling for the pope to resign for his said role in the scandal while acting as cardinal.
The news media will likely have a long story here with a long run as much more information comes to light and lawyers for victims press for the release of more documents. And the image of a religious organization that covers up for serious crimes is an unwholesome image that definitely casts a dark shadow over this year's celebration of Holy Week.
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