Pope Benedict in London Expresses Sorrow for Sexul Abuse/Meets with a Few Survivors/ Leaders Want Access to Vatican Files

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11354357

Commenting on the Pope's message during the Westminster Mass, Peter Isely, of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said: "We don't need a Pope who is sad about crimes. We need a Pope who will prevent crimes. And his words prevent nothing."

Peter Saunders, chief executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, who was also a victim himself, called on the Pope to make funding available to abuse survivors and provide access to Vatican files.

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

As important as expressing sorrow and meeting with a small, pre-chosen group of survivors of sexual abuse in England is, Pope Benedict needs to go further and adopt structurall reforms. These are a few recommendations:

1),acknowledge his role as head of the Congregation of the Doctrine for the Faith, take responsibility for the coverup of the sexual abuse scandal,

2)change the policy of protecting predator clergy first to protecting victims by reporting all serious allegations to civil authorities and doing justice for all,

3) fire bishops who kept predatory priests in ministry,

4) turn over all Vatican files to an international committee for investigation

5) announce systemic changes to reform clericalism with a special focus on the core issue of the abuse of spiritual power that is at the heart of this crisis,

6) adapt structures of accountability and transparency that will apply to all clerics and church ministers worldwide.

7) apologize to Roman Catholic Womenpriests and the entire church for the recent Vatican decree that linked women's ordination with pedophilia.

8) End mandatory celibacy, open up to the partnership of women and men in the Gospels, including womenpriests.